Uber is losing its London license, pending appeal: whether or not the company gets it back is a test of the company’s long-term viability. Plus, why Facebook has to realize that facts are not enough.
The GDPR and Facebook and Google, Intelligent Tracking Prevention, Data Portability and Social Graphs
The GDPR will hurt Google and Facebook; it will hurt their competitors far more, which means the position of the two biggest digital ad companies will actually be strengthened. Then, why data portability won’t help build the next social network.
The Super-Aggregators and the Russians
Facebook is in trouble — again — for Russian ads about the election; figuring out how to deal with them requires first understanding that Facebook, like Google, is a Super-Aggregator. It faces zero transaction costs in all parts of its business.
Amazon’s Second Headquarters, Amazon’s Internal Primitives, Facebook and Political Ads
Amazon is uniquely capable of having a second headquarters, and don’t be surprised if politics influences the choice of location. Then, Facebook should learn from Amazon about picking battles. Plus, a brief preview of Apple’s iPhone event.
The Platform Paradox, Voice Assistants Vulnerable?, Facebook and Russian Ads
Aggregators have value not only because they benefit consumers but also because they enable new businesses. Then, voice assistant vulnerability shows how focusing on the user experience can backfire; Facebook is arguably the best example.
Everything is Changing; So Should Antitrust
WPP is dealing with not only a changing advertising industry but a changing world, thanks to the Internet. Antitrust needs to change as well.
Google and The New America Foundation, Google’s Monopoly, Google’s Stupidity
Google allegedly had a think tank team fired for suggesting the company was a monopoly; it was a stupid action that makes the case.
Cloudflare and Daily Stormer, Free Speech and Corporations, Just War and Regulation
Cloudfare finally pulled the plug on the Daily Storm. It may have been an easy call in isolation, but the implications highlight the inevitable push towards regulation online.
Benchmark’s Letter to Uber Employees, Is Benchmark Right?, Intel CEO Leaves Trump Advisory Board
Follow-up on Benchmark’s suit against Uber, and then why it is time for tech to draw the line with President Trump.
The Uber Dilemma
Benchmark’s lawsuit against Uber is extraordinary; that is because Uber, despite everything, remains an extraordinary company. Game theory explains the implications.