Wind Shifts Direction

In a significant turn of events, the European Union Commission has reportedly frozen an antitrust case against Google, according to internal sources at the EU Commission, as reported by MLEX this week. This decision comes amidst a broader shift in the wind of tech regulation, as demonstrated by recent developments in both the USA and Europe.

The decision to pause the proceedings against Google may suggest that the EU Commission fears the potential increase in tariffs more than the negative consequences of insufficient rule-setting and enforcement for powerful companies. This freeze follows Google's announcement of an advance appeal due to the conditions imposed during the proceedings.

Meanwhile, the US government's legal attempt to force Google to divest certain business parts has failed. The USA court has refused to order Google to separate the Chrome browser from the Android operating system, a move that was authorized by the Deputy Attorney General of the United States. However, the search results do not provide information about this Deputy Attorney General.

The website, an independent, left-wing, and opinionated daily newspaper, has been a platform for discussions on these developments. The atmosphere on the website is characterized by a lack of consensus on one opinion, with the website often presenting opposing positions within a broad left-wing spectrum of opinion.

As the regulation of Big Tech evolves, the focus is expanding to include the increasingly important role of artificial intelligence. Lessons from recent attempts to rein in powerful online platforms are being applied to the regulation of AI. Established markets and monopolistic structures in AI are expected to become harder to reverse once they are entrenched, making swift and accurate regulation and enforcement all the more crucial.

The wind of change in tech regulation is not just blowing in Europe. Trump's threats appear to have done their job in the context of the self-initiated trade dispute. The US President has made it clear that he will use any regulation targeting US tech giants as an excuse to further increase tariffs.

Amidst these shifts, our website continues to publish comments, essays, and debate texts, providing a platform for discussion and analysis on these significant developments in tech regulation. As we move forward, it seems that the years of relatively consistent tech regulation in Europe may be over, and the role of AI in shaping the future of tech regulation will only grow more important.