Home | Newsletters & Shorts | DW Weekly #185 – 8 November 2024

DW Weekly #185 – 8 November 2024

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Dear readers,

Donald Trump’s return to the White House probably signals a relevant shift in tech policy, given his strategic alignment with influential figures in Silicon Valley, most notably Elon Musk. Musk, a vocal supporter and one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet, invested approximately $120 million into Trump’s campaign, clearly showing his commitment to Trump’s vision for a tech-forward, market-driven America. Trump has vowed to appoint Musk to head a government efficiency commission, suggesting an unprecedented partnership between the government and private tech giants.

Trump’s ambitions in the tech arena are sweeping. He has promised a regulatory environment that would ‘set free’ companies burdened by government intervention. By rolling back regulations on AI, social media, and cryptocurrency sectors, Trump aims to foster innovation by reducing oversight and promoting a more liberal market. This policy stance starkly contrasts the Biden administration’s regulatory approach, particularly in Big Tech antitrust and AI oversight, which Trump’s team views as stifling growth and innovation.

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A key part of Trump’s tech agenda is his stance on digital freedom. He has consistently criticised social media platforms for what he claims is censorship of conservative voices, a sentiment echoed by Musk, especially since his acquisition of Twitter (now X). Under Trump’s leadership, there are likely to be pushes to reform Section 230, the law that protects platforms from liability for user-generated content, aiming to curb what Trump views as ‘biased censorship’ against his supporters. This approach aligns with Trump’s free-market ethos and reflects his desire to reshape the digital public square to favour unrestricted speech.

Moreover, the Government Efficiency Commission would conduct a complete financial and performance audit of the federal government. Trump also pledged to cut corporate tax rates for domestically manufactured companies, establish ‘low-tax’ zones on federal lands, encourage construction companies to build new homes and start a sovereign wealth fund. Trump’s proposal drew criticism from Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, who accused Trump and Musk of wanting to weaken the nonpartisan civil service.

As Trump reclaims his influence over tech policy, his administration is expected to reassess past conflicts with Silicon Valley. Despite his previous clashes with leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, Trump’s recent statements have indicated a willingness to mend fences, especially with executives prioritising business over political engagement. For instance, Zuckerberg’s current stance of neutrality has met with Trump’s approval, signifying a potential thaw in relations that could lead to an era of cooperation rather than confrontation.

In this new chapter, Trump’s alliance with Musk and other tech elites underscores his ambition to create a tech policy that minimises governmental control while encouraging private innovation. Together, Trump and Musk represent a fusion of populism and technology, a partnership that could reshape America’s role in the global tech landscape, steering it towards a future where corporate influence on policy is stronger than ever.

Follow the ‘Highlights from the week’ in its section below…

EU unveils new transparency rules under DSA for intermediary service providers

The European Commission has introduced an Implementing Regulation that standardises transparency reporting for providers of intermediary services under the Digital Services Act (DSA). That regulation aims to ensure consistency and comparability of data shared with the public by requiring providers to disclose specific information about their content moderation practices.

Apple faces first EU fine under Digital Markets Act

Apple is set to face its first fine under the European Union‘s Digital Markets Act (DMA) for breaching the bloc’s antitrust regulations. The case comes after  EU regulators charged Apple in June for violating the new tech rules designed to curb the dominance of big tech companies.

More updates and other topics on our dig.watch portal!

Marko and the Digital Watch team


Highlights from the week of 01-08 November 2024

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The new president favouring moderate reforms over drastic measures.

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A landmark initiative in regulating children’s access to social media.

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The 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent has adopted a resolution to protect civilians and essential infrastructure from the risks of cyber activities in armed conflicts,…

TikTok

An alleged harmful impact on teenagers’ mental health.

spaceX

A manufacturing shift to Southeast Asia.

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A decentralised finance (DeFi) crypto project linked to former President Donald Trump and his sons, plans to restrict its token sales to $30 million within the United States.

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GlobalFoundries, a major US chipmaker, faces a hefty fine for shipping chips to a sanctioned Chinese affiliate.

italy taxes cryptocurrency

Economy minister Giancarlo Giorgetti argues higher cryptocurrency taxes are needed, citing their risk and disconnection from tangible assets.

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The NHDR will benchmark Bahrain’s digital landscape against regional and international standards, offering insights and recommendations to enhance digital inclusion and infrastructure.

Meta

Critics question Meta’s choice to use Llama AI for military applications.


ICYMI



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