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Shark at-tech in the Senate

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Money talks in politics, and Big Tech is a big talker

Big Tech has spent over $70 million in Washington over the past year to stop legislation that targets the business practices of the behemoths of the industry – Meta (Facebook), Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Apple, and Microsoft. 

But so far, they have failed to stop the pincer movement on Big Tech now underway in both the House and Senate – And these moves in Congress have the backing of the President.

Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation that would prohibit these major companies from favouring their own products on their platforms and disadvantaging competing services. 

Last July, the House Judiciary Committee approved a more aggressive package of six bills that would block mergers that eliminate competitors or reinforce monopoly power, prevent social media platforms from favouring their own products at the expense of distorting the market, and encourage the antitrust authorities to stop Big Tech – by breaking them up if necessary – from using their monopoly power to destroy competition with their platforms.

What makes these concerns so politically potent is that they have strong bipartisan support from both Democrats, who are concerned about structural issues of concentration of market power and abuse of consumers, and Republicans, who are more focused on content, bias and free speech issues that are suffused throughout digital content.

All these vectors converging on Big Tech became supercharged when Frances Haugen, a former Facebook executive, gave expert, credible testimony on Capitol Hill outlining, in forensic detail, deep concerns about Facebook’s conduct, policies, culture and resistance to accountability for how it does business.

The drama that will play out for the balance of this year in Congress is whether this legislation will be taken up on the House and Senate floors and sent to President Biden to be signed into law.

The Administration has already declared its hand on these issues. 

The new head of the Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan, and the new head of antitrust at the Justice Department, Jonathan Kanter, have announced new guidelines to review proposed mergers among the Big Five, with a special emphasis on pricing and damage to competitors when the dominant players make significant acquisitions.

This is a multifront battle

The Federal Trade Commission and several states are in the courts seeking to overturn Fakebook’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. 

The Justice Department has sued Google, alleging the company has a monopoly on search.  36 states have sued Google and its mobile app store for abuse of market power.

Big Tech’s concerted political power may be able to run out the clock in Congress this year. 

The adage is true:  it is much easier to stop something than to start something in Congress.  History suggests Big Tech may well be able to trip up the legislative process – but that it will fail to prevent the government from enforcing the antitrust laws.

Congress’ legislative activity, scrutiny and oversight serve an especially useful purpose: to shine a bright light on the most powerful industry in the world today. 

The hearings and legislation build a record.  Tobacco is severely regulated because of the explosive hearings on what their executives knew – and tried to cover up – on how smoking causes cancer and other diseases. 

The testimony of witnesses like Ms Haugen on how Facebook operates changes political and popular sentiment on these issues.  

That shining of a bright light on the industry gives the regulators a stronger hand to bring down the antitrust laws on Big Tech practices that harm competition and consumers.

The two biggest antitrust actions in the past 40 years were against AT&T and competition in the telecoms industry, and Microsoft and its dominant position in personal computer operating systems.

Their trials in the courts were monumental, with both companies profoundly altered by antitrust settlements. AT&T was broken up, and Microsoft had to change its business practices on its software.

Why is what is happening to Big Tech today in Congress so important? 

Veteran Republican Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah put it this way in 1999:

”Almost two years ago in the Judiciary Committee, I began examining the state of competition in the computer industry and specifically Microsoft’s business practices. That was before the Justice Department brought its lawsuit against the company. Some criticized me for doing it, and it was lonely. But I think people now recognize how important those hearings were.”

Veteran Republican Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah put it this way in 1999:

If the dominant Big Tech companies are forced to abide by new rules on what they can and cannot do, rules that limit their market power and provide more protections for consumers, it will be because of what Congress is doing right now to advance legislation to make them more accountable to the rule of law.

Big Tech, by flexing its well-financed lobbying clout, might win the battle in Congress, and prevent enactment of the House and Senate bills now pending.

But they cannot stop the war on their market power.  Their reckoning with the antitrust laws is right in front of them.

Bruce Wolpe is a Ticker News US political contributor. He’s a Senior Fellow at the US Studies Centre and has worked with Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama's first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM's chief of staff.

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OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT Atlas: The Future of Browsing?

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OpenAI has taken another giant leap forward with the launch of ChatGPT Atlas — an AI-powered web browser that could redefine how people search, explore, and interact online. Investors and competitors are watching closely as this new technology challenges the dominance of traditional browsers like Google Chrome.

With ChatGPT Atlas, users may soon experience a web that feels less like typing into a search box and more like conversing with an intelligent assistant. The integration of AI could make browsing faster, more intuitive, and more personalised than ever before — but it also raises serious questions about privacy and data use.

As AI becomes more deeply embedded in the digital world, ChatGPT Atlas could represent the next major step toward a fully AI-driven online experience. What does this mean for users — and for the tech giants trying to keep up?

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OpenAI limits deepfakes after Bryan Cranston’s concerns

OpenAI protects against deepfakes on Sora 2 after Bryan Cranston and SAG-AFTRA raise concerns over unauthorized AI-generated content

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OpenAI protects against deepfakes on Sora 2 after Bryan Cranston and SAG-AFTRA raise concerns over unauthorised AI-generated content

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In Short:
– OpenAI partners with Bryan Cranston and unions to combat deepfakes on its Sora app.
– The app now includes options for people to control their likenesses and voices.
OpenAI announced it will work with Bryan Cranston, SAG-AFTRA, and actor unions to combat deepfakes on its AI video app, Sora.Cranston voiced concerns after unauthorized AI-generated clips featuring his likeness emerged after Sora 2’s launch in late September. He showed gratitude to OpenAI for taking steps to safeguard actors’ rights to control their likenesses.

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The partnership aims to enhance protections against unauthorized AI content. The Creative Artists Agency and United Talent Agency had previously criticized OpenAI, citing risks to their clients’ intellectual property.

Last week, OpenAI blocked disrespectful videos of Martin Luther King Jr. at the request of his estate, following similar pressures. Zelda Williams also requested the public refrain from sending her AI-generated clips of her late father, Robin Williams.

Policy Changes

Following tensions post-launch, CEO Sam Altman revised Sora’s policy to give rights holders greater control of their likenesses.

The app now allows individuals to opt-out, reflecting OpenAI’s commitment to respond quickly to concerns from performers.

OpenAI backs the NO FAKES Act, supporting legislation that aims to protect individuals from unauthorized AI-generated representations.

OpenAI is focused on ensuring performers’ rights are respected regarding the misuse of their voices and likenesses. Altman reiterated the company’s dedication to these protections.


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Major apps down as AWS experiences global outage

AWS outage disrupts Fortnite, Snapchat and multiple services globally

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AWS outage disrupts Fortnite, Snapchat and multiple services globally

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In Short:
– AWS outage on Monday disrupted major apps like Fortnite, Snapchat, and affected several global companies.
– UK companies including Lloyds Bank and Vodafone reported issues due to the AWS outage.

Amazon’s AWS experienced a significant outage on Monday, impacting major apps including Fortnite and Snapchat. The disruption affected connectivity for numerous companies globally.AWS reported increased error rates and latencies across multiple services and is attempting to recover quickly.

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The outage marks the first significant internet disruption since a previous incident last year that impacted essential technology systems globally. AWS offers on-demand computing and storage services and is vital for many websites and platforms.

Multiple companies reported disruptions, including AI startup Perplexity, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, and trading app Robinhood. Perplexity’s CEO confirmed on X that the outages were linked to AWS issues.

Amazon’s shopping site, Prime Video, and Alexa services also faced difficulties, according to Downdetector. Other affected platforms included popular gaming applications like Clash Royale and financial services such as Venmo and Chime.

Uber competitor Lyft’s app was reported down for numerous users in the U.S. Messaging platform Signal also acknowledged connection problems stemming from the AWS outage.

British Companies

In the UK, Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland, and telecom services provider Vodafone were notably affected. The HMRC’s website also encountered issues during this outage.

Elon Musk stated that his platform, X, remained operational despite the widespread disruptions.


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