Biden demands antitrust action against Big Tech during State of the Union

Posted:
in General Discussion edited February 2023
As part of his State of the Union speech, President Biden called for legislation that would prevent firms like Apple and Google having an "unfair advantage" in promoting their own products.




President Biden's speech comes after he made similar points in an Op-Ed piece in January. His State of the Union address said that these are among the issues that need addressing by both the Democratic and the Republican parties.

In ten references to bipartisan measures either proposed or already passed, Biden singled out Big Tech and social media firms for particular attention.

"[We must pass] bipartisan legislation to strengthen antitrust enforcement and prevent big online platforms from giving their own products an unfair advantage," said the President. "We must finally hold social media companies accountable for the experiment they are running on our children for profit."






"And it's time to pass bipartisan legislation to stop Big Tech from collecting personal data on kids and teenagers online, ban targeted advertising to children, and impose stricter limits on the personal data these companies collect on all of us," continued President Biden

The references to how legislation must be passed is an acknowledgement that such issues have been raised before, only to fail to get sufficient support. And, this is despite a renewed push near the end of 2022 to get it passed.

Biden's comments about a social media experiment being run "on our children for profit," also raises the issue that there is existing legislation that is being ignored. The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) of 1998 aims to protect children under the age of 13, but previous reports have said many apps available do not come close to compliance.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 17
    According to a now retired lawyer friend who worked in anti-trust legal cases for many, many years, the Sherman Act, through precedent and interpretation, already allows the government to define pretty much anything it wants as anti-trust.

    So I'm inclined to think this is just more rhetoric and hyperbole to engender enough ire and indignation for still more power.
    byronlFileMakerFellerwatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 17
    Seems like this poem fits well with today's cancel and regulate culture.

    First they came for the Communists
    And I did not speak out
    Because I was not a Communist
    Then they came for the Socialists
    And I did not speak out
    Because I was not a Socialist
    Then they came for the trade unionists
    And I did not speak out
    Because I was not a trade unionist
    Then they came for the Jews
    And I did not speak out
    Because I was not a Jew
    Then they came for me
    And there was no one left
    To speak out for me
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 17
    ciacia Posts: 248member
    vesalius said:
    Seems like this poem fits well with today's cancel and regulate culture.

    First they came for the Communists
    And I did not speak out
    Because I was not a Communist
    Then they came for the Socialists
    And I did not speak out
    Because I was not a Socialist
    Then they came for the trade unionists
    And I did not speak out
    Because I was not a trade unionist
    Then they came for the Jews
    And I did not speak out
    Because I was not a Jew
    Then they came for me
    And there was no one left
    To speak out for me
    How, in any way, does that relate to the article?
    Oferwatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 17
    According to a now retired lawyer friend who worked in anti-trust legal cases for many, many years, the Sherman Act, through precedent and interpretation, already allows the government to define pretty much anything it wants as anti-trust.

    So I'm inclined to think this is just more rhetoric and hyperbole to engender enough ire and indignation for still more power.
    ...indeed is enforcement of meaningful measures a critical consideration...?  

    Are fines meaningful, vs incarceration of those who may be deemed responsible ?  

    What about the vast amounts of data already 'in the wild'...?


    "Open up your iPhone’s settings, tap “Privacy & Security,” and scroll down to “Analytics & Improvements.” There you’ll find a setting label “Share iPhone Analytics.” Toggle it on and off all you want. Tests from Mysk found that Apple collects device analytics data, no matter how you adjust the control”
  • Reply 5 of 17
    Google and Facebook should be worried. I’ve been predicting for years a day of reckoning was coming around their massive data collection, usually without any user knowledge.
    macseekerOferbyronlwatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 17
    The next big thing...?  www.capable.design/home-1

    www.capable.design/post/is-our-data-really-in-our-hands
    byronl
  • Reply 7 of 17
    MadbumMadbum Posts: 536member
    Anti Business and Anti American liar in chief.

    I honestly thought I was getting moderate Scranton Joe and he wasn’t the typical new  Democrat when I voted for him 2 years ago , I thought I was getting Bill Clinton again but we are getting a socialist . 

    Let’s let the Chinese spy balloon fly over USA for week letting it do god knows what but let’s go after our own great American companies with help of Europeans. 

    Ever seen anyone do a self knee cap?
    edited February 2023 CluntBaby92red oakwatto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 17
    anonymouseanonymouse Posts: 6,857member
    Madbum said:
    Anti Business and Anti American liar in chief.

    I honestly thought I was getting moderate Scranton Joe and he wasn’t the typical new  Democrat when I voted for him 2 years ago , I thought I was getting Bill Clinton again but we are getting a socialist . 

    Let’s let the Chinese spy balloon fly over USA for week letting it do god knows what but let’s go after our own great American companies with help of Europeans. 

    Ever seen anyone do a self knee cap?

    Funny stuff, particularly the "socialist" thing. I guess, though, once you get so far to the right, even the center seems like a "far left" position from that perspective.
    muthuk_vanalingamuraharaFileMakerFellerwatto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 17
    red oakred oak Posts: 1,087member
    Madbum said:
    Anti Business and Anti American liar in chief.

    I honestly thought I was getting moderate Scranton Joe and he wasn’t the typical new  Democrat when I voted for him 2 years ago , I thought I was getting Bill Clinton again but we are getting a socialist . 

    Let’s let the Chinese spy balloon fly over USA for week letting it do god knows what but let’s go after our own great American companies with help of Europeans. 

    Ever seen anyone do a self knee cap?

    Funny stuff, particularly the "socialist" thing. I guess, though, once you get so far to the right, even the center seems like a "far left" position from that perspective.
    Nope 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 17
    red oak said:
    Madbum said:
    Anti Business and Anti American liar in chief.

    I honestly thought I was getting moderate Scranton Joe and he wasn’t the typical new  Democrat when I voted for him 2 years ago , I thought I was getting Bill Clinton again but we are getting a socialist . 

    Let’s let the Chinese spy balloon fly over USA for week letting it do god knows what but let’s go after our own great American companies with help of Europeans. 

    Ever seen anyone do a self knee cap?

    Funny stuff, particularly the "socialist" thing. I guess, though, once you get so far to the right, even the center seems like a "far left" position from that perspective.
    Nope 
    Yep. Sadly, a significant percentage of Americans really need to look up the actual meaning of the word socialism. Likewise, most of those same people also need to look up the definition of communism.

    It's very sad how far America has fallen in the past 30-40 years.
    muthuk_vanalingamwatto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 17
    Why doesn't the POTUS ask the people directly, rather than listening to second-hand half-truths and stories from people with ulterior motives? 
    byronlwatto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 17
    MadbumMadbum Posts: 536member
    red oak said:
    Madbum said:
    Anti Business and Anti American liar in chief.

    I honestly thought I was getting moderate Scranton Joe and he wasn’t the typical new  Democrat when I voted for him 2 years ago , I thought I was getting Bill Clinton again but we are getting a socialist . 

    Let’s let the Chinese spy balloon fly over USA for week letting it do god knows what but let’s go after our own great American companies with help of Europeans. 

    Ever seen anyone do a self knee cap?

    Funny stuff, particularly the "socialist" thing. I guess, though, once you get so far to the right, even the center seems like a "far left" position from that perspective.
    Nope 
    Yep. Sadly, a significant percentage of Americans really need to look up the actual meaning of the word socialism. Likewise, most of those same people also need to look up the definition of communism.

    It's very sad how far America has fallen in the past 30-40 years.
    I agree. Biden and his many intentions are now the definition of socialism . You are fooling yourself if you don’t see it. I thought he was different but he is right there with the socialist squad members 
    edited February 2023 watto_cobra
  • Reply 13 of 17
    MadbumMadbum Posts: 536member
    Madbum said:
    Anti Business and Anti American liar in chief.

    I honestly thought I was getting moderate Scranton Joe and he wasn’t the typical new  Democrat when I voted for him 2 years ago , I thought I was getting Bill Clinton again but we are getting a socialist . 

    Let’s let the Chinese spy balloon fly over USA for week letting it do god knows what but let’s go after our own great American companies with help of Europeans. 

    Ever seen anyone do a self knee cap?

    Funny stuff, particularly the "socialist" thing. I guess, though, once you get so far to the right, even the center seems like a "far left" position from that perspective.
    If you think anything Biden is saying or has done is center. You are probably as left as they come.

    Then yes, Biden would be center.

    when I say center or center left , I am talking about People like Bill Clinton.


    edited February 2023 watto_cobra
  • Reply 14 of 17
    mattinozmattinoz Posts: 2,299member
    red oak said:
    Madbum said:
    Anti Business and Anti American liar in chief.

    I honestly thought I was getting moderate Scranton Joe and he wasn’t the typical new  Democrat when I voted for him 2 years ago , I thought I was getting Bill Clinton again but we are getting a socialist . 

    Let’s let the Chinese spy balloon fly over USA for week letting it do god knows what but let’s go after our own great American companies with help of Europeans. 

    Ever seen anyone do a self knee cap?

    Funny stuff, particularly the "socialist" thing. I guess, though, once you get so far to the right, even the center seems like a "far left" position from that perspective.
    Nope 
    Yep. Sadly, a significant percentage of Americans really need to look up the actual meaning of the word socialism. Likewise, most of those same people also need to look up the definition of communism.

    It's very sad how far America has fallen in the past 30-40 years.
    If they understand what socialism actually means they might start thinking it’s a good idea. Like traffic lights. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 15 of 17
    Madbum said:
    red oak said:
    Madbum said:
    Anti Business and Anti American liar in chief.

    I honestly thought I was getting moderate Scranton Joe and he wasn’t the typical new  Democrat when I voted for him 2 years ago , I thought I was getting Bill Clinton again but we are getting a socialist . 

    Let’s let the Chinese spy balloon fly over USA for week letting it do god knows what but let’s go after our own great American companies with help of Europeans. 

    Ever seen anyone do a self knee cap?

    Funny stuff, particularly the "socialist" thing. I guess, though, once you get so far to the right, even the center seems like a "far left" position from that perspective.
    Nope 
    Yep. Sadly, a significant percentage of Americans really need to look up the actual meaning of the word socialism. Likewise, most of those same people also need to look up the definition of communism.

    It's very sad how far America has fallen in the past 30-40 years.
    I agree. Biden and his many intentions are now the definition of socialism . You are fooling yourself if you don’t see it. I thought he was different but he is right there with the socialist squad members 
    Left, right, center, blah blah. How some degree of socialism is bad; doesn’t it have anything to offer for American people? Would it definitely make their life worse?
    muthuk_vanalingam
  • Reply 16 of 17
    This would set a precedent for "own brand" goods across all business sectors. I would think Walmart would be the biggest opposition to the idea.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 17
    MadbumMadbum Posts: 536member
    mattinoz said:
    red oak said:
    Madbum said:
    Anti Business and Anti American liar in chief.

    I honestly thought I was getting moderate Scranton Joe and he wasn’t the typical new  Democrat when I voted for him 2 years ago , I thought I was getting Bill Clinton again but we are getting a socialist . 

    Let’s let the Chinese spy balloon fly over USA for week letting it do god knows what but let’s go after our own great American companies with help of Europeans. 

    Ever seen anyone do a self knee cap?

    Funny stuff, particularly the "socialist" thing. I guess, though, once you get so far to the right, even the center seems like a "far left" position from that perspective.
    Nope 
    Yep. Sadly, a significant percentage of Americans really need to look up the actual meaning of the word socialism. Likewise, most of those same people also need to look up the definition of communism.

    It's very sad how far America has fallen in the past 30-40 years.
    If they understand what socialism actually means they might start thinking it’s a good idea. Like traffic lights. 
    “They understand”, constant attack of successful private companies and essentially trying to nationalize them through “legislation”…

    we see it and of course the socialists think it’s fine…

    like you 
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