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16 Mar, 9 tweets, 4 min read
beyond lawsuits by every regulator...
do you want to know why I feel so strongly DC lawmakers, staff and advocates went to school on digital the past 3yrs and are now ready to hold Google and Facebook accountable?

Let's play "which lawmaker said it?" just a few days ago... /1
...that covered Google playing all sides of market - buying and selling - sounds a bit like @SenWarren, right?
Naah. Ok here is more... cites Google and Facebook collusion allegations ("cartel" behavior) in the brilliant Google adtech lawsuit...so "which lawmaker said it?" /2
that sounded a bit like @RepJayapal who has quickly become an expert on digital markets. But nope, not her either.
ok, one final hint, this may give it away. antitrust laws unlock capitalism ... competition is critical to the American dream... so "which lawmaker said it?" /3
OK, I'll let it sit for a bit to see if anyone can guess it. The speech is from a closed-door speaking engagement which I transcribed for you all so don't bother "Googling" to find it. You've got one hour. Here is a poll in the meantime. /4
Fun context. There were likely close to 1,000 people watching and the top employers were likely Google and Facebook so...🍿 /5
OK, one more clue. Yes, please: "It's absolutely essential President Biden nominate enforcers who are well versed in antitrust law and who haven't previously worked to defend big tech or other repeat offenders in any other concentrated industry, perpetuating the status quo." /6
OK, y'all. Impressive guesswork in the ⬆️ poll. Again this was delivered to an event with typically more representation from Google and Facebook than any companies and heavily sponsored by both of them. Good stuff. /7
Here is the full speech. /8
“then the two companies may not only be a duopoly but a bona fide cartel.” - @SenMikeLee, Ranking Member of Senate Antitrust subcommittee. You win, @RickMandler. /end

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More from @jason_kint

Jason Kint Profile picture
17 Mar
3yrs ago today, NYT and Guardian (after threat from Facebook), broke massive scoop that Facebook's personal data had not only been sold to a political operative but FB had covered up what they ultimately labeled a "breach of trust." For 3yrs they've continued to cover it up. /1 ImageImage
Facebook had spent days bracing for the report even deciding to "leak" it out Fri night hours before NYT report by posting they were taking action against the political operative, Cambridge Analytica - several yrs too late.

Why? Because FB's cover-up was about to blow open. /2 Image
I'm going to use this thread to try to capture all of the misleading statements and cover-up efforts by Facebook now that we're three years out, several lawsuits are in deep discovery mode, Facebook antitrust lawsuits are underway and it's a new year so why not? here we go. /3
Read 31 tweets
Jason Kint Profile picture
16 Mar
Smart. State AGs filed amended adtech antitrust suit vs Google. 4 more states signed on. I've read most of it. Text updates from Dec but also added evidence of Google's privacy hypocrisy, doubled-down on the WhatsApp charges Google denied along with Facebook collusion charges. /1 ImageImage
In the Facebook and Google collusion charges summary, there is a mention of Apple that I don't think was there previously. This charges must have attention at DOJ. Apple, of course, has policies limiting data that are now in focus as Facebook attempts to undermine them. /2 ImageImage
YouTube is also now in the complaint as a relevant market. Again, I think this is a new section and likely also why some language shifts from being entirely focused on display as the underlying market rigging charges and anticompetitive conduct crosses into video. /3 Image
Read 12 tweets
Jason Kint Profile picture
15 Mar
Patently offensive exchange if you’re a member of Parliament asking Facebook questions. Just weeks ago, this has been going on for 3yrs. They send local policy ppl to deceive deflect Parliaments. It’s why @davidcicilline @RepKenBuck @TishJames @Yost4Ohio work is so important. /1
It’s why it’s necessary for Canada to once again send a summons Zuckerberg as previous chairs have done. @beynate @CharlieAngusNDP @bobzimmermp @DamianCollins @JoStevensLabour /2
Here is more from the same hearing just six weeks ago. Facebook’s policy guy testifies he isn’t familiar with reports about Steve Bannon using Facebook live to call for the assassination of FBI Director and Dr Fauci. /3
Read 6 tweets
Jason Kint Profile picture
14 Mar
Unreal.
This doesn’t happen because of “free expression.”
It’s a result of algorithms micro-targeting harmful content (and ads) to vulnerable users - providing concentrated amplification without counter speech - tuned for maximum Facebook profits. /1 washingtonpost.com/technology/202…
These 2 paragraphs are critical context:
* The world depends on Facebook
* but Facebook cannot be trusted
As regulators and lawmakers have yet to deal with the core. Including US FTC and SEC's pressure/decision to settle for $5+B rather than expose Facebook leadership. /2
To properly deal with these issues requires new leadership and new biz model: unwinding Facebook's profit model (ubiquitous data collection across our lives in order to maximize profits from an experience feeding users a balance of micro-targeted ads and user content). /3
Read 5 tweets
Jason Kint Profile picture
12 Mar
10am! House Judiciary, antitrust hearing. I'm most interested in upcoming testimony from Microsoft Prez Brad Smith. In past months, they've come out as a brilliant advocate for the needs of a free and plural press in Australia, EU. Loved + appreciated. /1 judiciary.house.gov/calendar/event…
This dimension today is important - the downstream impact to journalism from lack of antitrust enforcement, particularly Google and Facebook. Investigations globally have connected the duopoly's stranglehold upstream to its unique access to data, particularly tracking users. /2
Microsoft, like with Apple, is a critically important voice and yes showing strong leadership by supporting press, consumer privacy and calling out uneven bargaining power considering size of their own companies. I respect this and yes it's easier due to their own biz models. /3
Read 17 tweets
Jason Kint Profile picture
12 Mar
Amazing. What are the odds??? I spy Joel Kaplan’s comms operative immediately next to Twitter’s Comms chief as @CaseyNewton leads a live convo with @_KarenHao about her massive report today on the toxic biz model of Facebook. technologyreview.com/2021/03/11/102…
I love it when @_KarenHao begins an answer with “When Facebook still thought I was going to write a puff piece...”
And Casey doing an outro for Twitter Spaces after ninety minutes of dissecting Facebook between press, ex-employees, academics and competitors also pretty enjoyable.
Read 13 tweets

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