Norway has temporarily suspended its ethical investing rules, according to Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, to prevent its $2.1 trillion oil fund from being forced to divest from major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet due to their work for the Israeli government. The decision follows US concerns and the fund’s prior divestment from Caterpillar. Stoltenberg expressed worries that such divestments could undermine the fund’s diversified investment strategy and its importance to Norway’s budget, especially as the ethics council was set to review the tech companies and others on a UN blacklist. The move, supported by opposition parties, has drawn criticism from left-wing politicians who believe it prioritizes large corporations and US interests over ethical considerations.
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Facebook takes down a page that the Justice Department says was used to harass ICE agents, and it feels like a familiar story, doesn’t it? It brings up a lot of different perspectives, and the main feeling is often one of frustration. It’s like, “Here we go again.” You know, the kind of thing where you’re not really surprised but still disappointed.
The immediate reaction is often a healthy dose of cynicism. People seem to have seen this pattern play out a million times. Facebook, and other big tech companies, are criticized for often being slow to react to instances of hate speech, harassment, and incitement of violence, as one comment pointed out.… Continue reading
President Macron is reportedly considering retaliatory measures against U.S. digital players due to concerns over digital rules perceived as discriminatory by the Trump administration. This comes after Trump threatened further tariffs on countries with digital rules that discriminate against U.S. companies, following a recent trade deal between the U.S. and the EU. While the EU has refrained from imposing countermeasures, Macron has been a vocal advocate for a tougher stance on trade with the U.S. Macron plans to discuss the issue with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz this week to assess the situation.
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The Trump administration has unveiled a new program enabling Americans to share personal health data across health systems and private tech company apps, with over 60 companies, including Google, Amazon, and Apple, participating. This initiative aims to improve access to health records and monitor wellness, focusing on areas like diabetes and weight management using digital tools. However, this move raises concerns about the security and privacy of sensitive patient data, despite assurances from officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Digital privacy advocates express skepticism about data security, while the government’s involvement, along with limited regulation of health apps, fuels further worry about the potential for misuse of personal health information.
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A US judge has ruled that Google maintains illegal online advertising monopolies. This decision throws a significant wrench into the gears of the tech giant’s operations, raising questions about the future of online advertising and the power wielded by Big Tech.
The sheer scale of Google’s dominance in the online advertising market is staggering. It’s not simply a matter of being the biggest player; the ruling suggests that Google has actively employed anti-competitive practices to maintain its stranglehold. This is the key aspect of the judge’s finding: it’s not just about success, but about the methods used to achieve and maintain that success.… Continue reading
At US antitrust trial, Meta’s Zuckerberg admits he bought Instagram because it was ‘better’ – a statement that, while seemingly straightforward, reveals a complex issue at the heart of modern tech monopolies. The admission itself isn’t particularly surprising; people frequently acquire things they perceive as superior. It’s the context – a courtroom setting within an antitrust trial – that elevates the significance of his words. The implication is that competition, a cornerstone of a healthy market, was directly addressed not through innovation or improvement of existing products, but through acquisition and absorption.
This acquisition wasn’t simply about upgrading Facebook’s capabilities; it was about neutralizing a competitor.… Continue reading
A major offensive against European digital regulations and competition policy, spearheaded by Donald Trump and prominent American tech CEOs like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, is underway. Zuckerberg, previously a target of Trump’s ire, now pledges allegiance, echoing Musk’s rhetoric against “censorship” and aligning with Trump’s agenda to challenge global government oversight of American businesses. This coordinated effort, evidenced by Musk’s involvement in European political debates and Zuckerberg’s public criticism of EU fines, has sparked considerable concern in Brussels. The European Parliament plans to address this challenge through a future debate on EU digital regulation.
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Brendan Carr, President-elect Trump’s FCC nominee and a long-time critic of Big Tech, advocates for repealing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This provision shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content, a point of contention for Carr who believes it creates an unacceptable power imbalance. Carr’s views, detailed in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, align with both Trump’s and Biden’s stated desires to reform or eliminate Section 230, despite differing motivations. Repealing Section 230 enjoys bipartisan support, though legislative progress remains slow.
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As I scrolled through the news feeds, one headline caught my attention and immediately piqued my interest – “Brazilian Court Orders Suspension of Elon Musk’s X After It Missed Deadline”. The implications of this ruling are profound and far-reaching, not just for Brazil but potentially for the entire digital landscape globally. The court’s decision to suspend X, a platform owned by the infamous billionaire Elon Musk, stems from its failure to comply with Brazilian laws and regulations. It seems like Elon Musk’s disregard for the legal system and his cavalier attitude towards authority have finally caught up with him.
To think that a country’s sovereignty and legal system could supersede the influence and power of big tech giants and billionaires is a refreshing and empowering notion.… Continue reading
The power dynamics at play in the realm of big tech and politics are truly fascinating and concerning, especially when figures like Donald Trump start wielding threats of imprisonment against individuals like Mark Zuckerberg. The recent news of Trump threatening to jail Zuckerberg for life is not only absurd but also indicative of a troubling trend in politics where personal vendettas seem to dictate actions.
It’s comical how Zuckerberg, who was already under scrutiny from Biden for COVID misinformation, is now facing threats of life imprisonment from Trump for allegedly plotting against him in the 2020 election. The level of vitriol and paranoia displayed by Trump is not only alarming but also raises questions about his mental state and intentions.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood