Follow-up on The State of Technology in 2018: the different types of regulation, whether or not the Internet is different, and why consumer tech companies may be weaker than they seem.
Data Factories Follow-Up, Amazon’s Pay Raise, Amazon Makes Hay
Follow-up to Data Factories, then Amazon’s pay raise, which is of course good for workers and also, unsurprisingly, good for Amazon.
San Francisco and Scooters, Skip’s Strategic Moat, Santa Monica and Scooters
San Francisco has decreed which scooters should win, and acquiesce to regulators appears to be top of the list. Plus, why the differences between scooters and ride-sharing should result in very different strategies.
Uber Loses in New York City, The Modern Medallion?, Driver Pay Floors
New York City has enacted a moratorium and pay floor on ride-sharing services. Uber may be losing its political power, and the effects could be wide-ranging.
The European Commission Versus Android
Examining the history of Android explains why the European Commission may be right to fine Google for its actions around Android, even as the reasoning feels off.
AT&T, Time Warner, and the Need for Neutrality
It is no surprise that a judge allowed the AT&T-Time Warner acquisition to proceed given the government’s poor case; the question is if a better case could have been made. What is ultimately needed, though, are new laws.
The Bill Gates Line Follow-up, Twitter and the Bill Gates Line, Data Portability and Facebook
Following up on The Bill Gates Line, applying it to Twitter, and then why Facebook portability is a bad idea.
The Bill Gates Line
Understanding the differences between aggregators and platforms matters for companies interacting with them and also regulators considering antitrust.
Open, Closed, and Privacy
Just as encryption is only viable on closed systems, so it is that increased privacy regulations will only entrench walled gardens. That should affect thinking on regulation.
Zuckerberg’s House Hearing, Toutiao’s Apology, Apple’s Siri Hire
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was back on the hill, using his usual talking points; the contrast with a Chinese news app, facing its own political pressure, was striking. Plus, why Apple’s Siri hire is so important.