US Senate urged to address monopoly of big tech. campaigners have expressed their support for the newly proposed antivirus laws.
US Senate Urged To Address Monopoly of Big Tech
Campaigners of digital rights are pushing senators in the US to address what is considered ‘the fundamental problem that plagues our online ecosystem.’
From companies such as alphabet which is the parent company of YouTube and Google to Meta which is the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, amazon, apple, and a host of many other companies in the US all known as big tech, monopolize the market.
And all the while internet users can select to protect themselves when they are online by making use of tools such as the best VPN services, they very much still do not have a choice in the matter of which of the platforms to make use of.
Many Organizations Show Support for the New Antitrust Bill
For this reason, 29 civil organizations inclusive of Article 19, Fight for the Future, and Access Now all signed an open letter expressing their support for the new antitrust bill that soon will pass through the senate.
All these companies specifically believe that the American innovation and choice online act and the open markets act all represent a ‘unique window of opportunity to change the system.’
Head of law and policy for digital markets at ARTICLE 19, Maria Luisa Stasi said ‘Big Tech’s massive power over our economic, social, and political lives has been left unchecked for too long. It has produced enormous harm to democracy and led people to normalize the violation of their fundamental rights.’ She added ‘It is time for the U.S. Congress to act to tame this power.’
What do Companies Targeted By the Act Think?
Some of the companies targeted by these acts not surprisingly are targeted for raising various concerns that the bill might be harmful to consumers and businesses in the long run. Digital rights advocates on the other hand believe that the proposed legislations are the correct medium for mitigating some of the biggest problems surrounding today’s tech world. It is also claimed that it will spike accountability and also open gateways for innovation.
The company wrote ‘Big Tech owns the world’s eyeballs, and, with no competition to challenge and offer a way out from their abusive practices, they won’t change their ways unless regulation ends their dominance.’
Elements That Would Benefit the Bill
Campaigners have pointed out two elements that would benefit should the bill be turned into law and they are;
- Abuse of data and surveillance. Campaigners have said that a market that enables healthy competition will let people select a platform that is more in line with the privacy and digital rights expectations of the consumer.
- Promoting hate and disinformation. Campaigners think that these laws will help to regulate how these platforms and big tech companies promote and censor content online.
And while companies such as alphabet and apple are all over the globe, a more regulated sector of these companies in the US will have a great impact on the online world on a global scale. The company also said that ‘”It’s time to change the rules and embrace new opportunities for a more competitive internet that centers human rights. This is impossible without leadership from U.S. elected officials.’
