Interesting how few questions there were on antitrust compared to those on censorship (R) and disinformation (D). so it seems #techpol20w2 > #techpol20w3 (or at least for these US Senators!).

Forward-looking legislation and rulemaking offer better ways of enshrining pro-consumer values and preventing anticompetitive behavior, say Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and Tom Wheeler. So true, but we are already about 15 years late. Future-proofing time is now!. #techpol20w3.

@TechPolicyMPhil "After-the-fact antitrust enforcement is not always the most timely and efficient way of dealing with markets dominated by one or a few competitors" says this article, and I agree!. #techpol20w3.

There has been a growing willingness for leading governments to (try to) rein in Big Tech and this week saw the US DOJ file suit against Google (with rare bipartisan support) #techpol20w3

#Lockdown2 #techpol20w3.The bias of lockdown 2 is controversial, as the school will remain open and many data illustrated that the students is main stream of virus spreading. It is a case in point that policy makers failed to solve problems by evidence.

Two years later, we get to hear this from the representative claimant. 🔥. "Paying less than 0.01% of your annual revenue in fines - pocket change to Facebook - is clearly a punishment that does not fit the crime.". #techpol20w3.

Consumers need to be protected in the long run. A merger may present short term benefits to a consumer, but if that merger kills competition and restricts new innovations, it presents a problem. #ThinkOfTheConsumerChildren.#techpol20w3.

It is good to see regulators outside of the EU finally wake up from the hiatus of ignoring the developments in Big Tech. Regardless to the outcome of such lawsuits and investigations, tech companies should be challenged and held accountable for their activities #techpol20w3.

The acquisition of Fitbit by Google could be explained by the efficiency effect because there is a risk for Google missing huge opportunities for health-tech data business if it does not have Fitbit. #techpol20w3.

As the pandemic has accelerated our transition to digital, will the rare US bipartisan support and significant growing public concern for the power of Big Tech promote global collaboration on tech regulation? #TechPol20w3.

Apart from the flood of current events on regulating Big Tech, the inspiration for this week's blog is a piece in @voxeu by our own @CGenakos and colleagues on the potential harms posed by Google-Fitbit #techpol20w3

"Two and a half years ago, Apple poached Google’s head of search, John Giannandrea" reads the article. Are we seeing the emergence of a proper Google SE rival? #techpol20w3 @TechPolicyMPhil.

@TechPolicyMPhil Making it about the man, rather than the issue but it'll be interesting to see how Sundar deals with this as someone "who has [. ] a reputation for being a conscientious caretaker rather than an impassioned entrepreneur". #techpol20w3.

On the topic of Big Tech - ever wondered how large tech firms can afford to acquire innovative startups and then offer their services for free? This is a helpful article that explains this innovation-stifling business model: @TechPolicyMPhil #techpol20w3.

@TechPolicyMPhil This article ( plainly states that the antitrust case against Big Tech is of a very different nature than older ones against Microsoft and Standard Oil. #techpol20w3.

@antgroup approved for the IPO by the supervision in China. valuation of firm reached new high.But, when PE over 100 times, it keeps me thinking if the stock is overrated . As a financial service provider, it did provide an new perspective of Fintech.#techpol20w3.

@TechPolicyMPhil Additionally, it is worth noting that Visa’s planned acquisition of Plaid may also face antitrust scrutiny. #techpol20w3.

@TechPolicyMPhil It is the biggest antitrust lawsuit in the past years. Google try to collude with phone makers and advertisers to set it as a default search engine and erect an unfair barrier for competitors to entry which is really harmful to consumers.#techpol20w3.

More creative application of the law and new tools are needed in order to cast the net wider and keep the tech companies in check. #techpol20w3.

#techpol20w3 .Collusion among Big Tech threatens social welfare. But tacit collusion is in general hard to identify. A monopoly is even worse. Baidu is a widely-used web browser in China but its performance is rather poor - ads always come at the top of the searching results.