Introducing an Innovative Way to Access Fox News Articles
In the realm of U.S. lawmakers during the mid-1990s, there was a genuine concern for creating an equal footing for emerging startups like AOL and Amazon in their battle against established incumbents. The government’s approach was simple: approve mergers without regulatory oversight, enabling the tech industry to flourish and exporting American values in the process. While this approach saw some success, it also inadvertently led to the rise of trillion-dollar companies in the tech sector, known as Big Tech. However, these companies have failed in exporting American values and have even been counterproductive in that regard. This is evident in their engagement with China.
Big Tech has prioritized profits over American values when it comes to their dealings with China. For instance, Apple’s manufacturing partnerships in China have played a role in the ongoing oppression of the Uyghur population, a religious minority. Instead of upholding American values, Big Tech has been pandering to Chinese interests. Furthermore, Big Tech has actually aided the Chinese government in solidifying their anti-American sentiments. One such example is Apple’s multi-billion-dollar deal that provides the Chinese Communist Party with direct access to all Apple devices within China. This agreement requires Apple to remove apps that promote narratives critical of the CCP, including those commemorating the Tiananmen Square demonstration or advocating for independence in Tibet and Taiwan. Additionally, Google has demonetized YouTube videos in the U.S. that offend the CCP, and Amazon partnered with China’s propaganda arm to establish a selling portal called China Books on their U.S. site, Amazon.com. Even with ongoing investigations into TikTok’s national security risks, Apple still promotes the app to its users.
In the United States, our hands-off approach has allowed Big Tech to gain centralized control over information, personal data, and markets. These companies have become so dominant that they can acquire any competitor that poses a threat to their revenue, with the federal government approving almost every acquisition Big Tech proposes. Since 2000, Google, Amazon, Meta, and Apple have collectively acquired over 800 companies. What’s even worse is that they use their centralized control to stifle new startups, force acquisitions, and even steal competitor functions through their app stores. They also have complete control over digital advertising markets, manipulating costs to their advantage while consumers suffer.
In the previous Congress, there were bipartisan efforts to enact meaningful reforms to address Big Tech’s centralized control, reform antitrust laws, protect children, and establish a national privacy regime. Unfortunately, none of these reforms passed, mainly due to Big Tech’s lobbying power. However, the root cause of the issue is much deeper. Our tech policies have shifted from supporting startups to propping up Big Tech as national champions, even though they consistently undermine our core values and cater to the CCP.
It is imperative that we address these concerns, especially as we navigate the future of artificial intelligence (AI). China has shown its intention to militarize AI capabilities, and we are at risk of losing the digital arms race if we don’t take the necessary steps. Big Tech currently dominates the AI market, with ties to China and its government. Our national security and individual liberties demand that Congress approach AI with a clear understanding of these companies’ true values – which are reflected through their actions, not just their words.
The truth is that Big Tech companies are not our champions. We should treat them as the multinational corporations they are, implementing meaningful bipartisan reforms to safeguard consumers, children, and our national security. As we move forward, it’s crucial that we reassess the values these companies uphold and ensure that they align with our own.
Joel Thayer, President of the Digital Progress Institute and an attorney specializing in telecommunications, regulatory, and transactional matters as well as privacy and cybersecurity issues, emphasizes the urgency of this matter.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
