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Head of Policy at Facebook @nick_clegg puts forward their position on EU regulation: https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-nick-clegg-data-privacy-european-union-dopfner-open-letter-2021-2?r=US&IR=T
Of "two core assertions":
1) "that it is high time that "big tech" should be regulated"
2) "that there should be sweeping prohibitions on the use of data"
Clegg agrees with 1, but not 2.
1) "that it is high time that "big tech" should be regulated"
2) "that there should be sweeping prohibitions on the use of data"
Clegg agrees with 1, but not 2.
"Private companies should, indeed, not be making so many big decisions about what content is acceptable on their own. Of course it would be better if these were made according to democratically accountable frameworks."
A very agreeable position and a reflection of consenus.
A very agreeable position and a reflection of consenus.
But
"In the absence of democratically agreed rules, the tech companies need to make real decisions in real time. The absence of sensible legislation cannot be an excuse for inaction when it comes to hateful speech which can incite violence."
See
https://blog.twitter.com/en_us/topics/company/2020/suspension.html
"In the absence of democratically agreed rules, the tech companies need to make real decisions in real time. The absence of sensible legislation cannot be an excuse for inaction when it comes to hateful speech which can incite violence."
See
https://blog.twitter.com/en_us/topics/company/2020/suspension.html
On Facebook's interests:
"The idea that the use of personal data to provide personalized services is in and of itself a bad thing [...] is profoundly wrong".
Calls The Social Dilemma a caricature. Here's Lindsey Graham asking Zuck if he's seen it.
"The idea that the use of personal data to provide personalized services is in and of itself a bad thing [...] is profoundly wrong".
Calls The Social Dilemma a caricature. Here's Lindsey Graham asking Zuck if he's seen it.
Clegg then cites a number of academic sources to defend Facebook from charges that social media is "the chief cause of rising polarization", including @risj_oxford.
There is some conflation here with various issues.
A good discussion on the details:
There is some conflation here with various issues.
A good discussion on the details:
With the defence covered, here's the offence:
"It is not just Big Tech that would be damaged by the end of the use of personal data to provide goods and services. [...] Data-driven services underpin Europe's economy."
A little dose of Project Fear? Veiled threat? Plain realism?
"It is not just Big Tech that would be damaged by the end of the use of personal data to provide goods and services. [...] Data-driven services underpin Europe's economy."
A little dose of Project Fear? Veiled threat? Plain realism?
What happens next depends on the planned hearings with European Parliament, and who will turn up. UK for example has never managed to get Zuck before a committee, which to me speaks volumes. Little wonder parliaments are getting more confrontational. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-tech-parliament-idUSKBN29Y2EH
My research time has been on @beyondthemsm, but I've written about this before and would love to write something more with anyone who's also really interested in this debate.
cc. @CyberAlexi @JuliRone @KateDommett
https://www.meccsa.org.uk/nl/three-d-issue-31-facebook-nick-clegg-and-the-future-of-democracy/
cc. @CyberAlexi @JuliRone @KateDommett
https://www.meccsa.org.uk/nl/three-d-issue-31-facebook-nick-clegg-and-the-future-of-democracy/
