Internet

Lawmakers, Taking Aim at Big Tech, Push Sweeping Overhaul of Antitrust

“This is a reaction to the fact that our antitrust laws have been construed so narrowly by the Supreme Court. Because of this problem, it is very appropriate for Congress to be stepping in to prohibit and determine what’s bad and what’s good for markets.” — Eleanor M. Fox, Professor of Law, New York University
Eleanor Fox
Source: The New York Times
June 11, 2021

How Websites Use "Dark Patterns" to Manipulate You

“This is a classic obstruction dark pattern — we're making it a little bit more painful, we're sucking up a little bit of their free time if they want to say no.” — Lior Strahilevitz , Professor of Law, University of Chicago

Lior Strahilevitz
Source: CBS News
May 14, 2021

Can the FTC Stop the Tech Industry’s Use of ‘Dark Patterns’?

“There’s no backlash for companies that employ these techniques, if our results are externally valid. They can employ just a couple of dark patterns and get away with it.” — Lior Strahilevitz, Professor of Law, University of Chicago
Lior Strahilevitz
Source: Fast Company
May 6, 2021

Snapchat Can Be Sued Over Role In Fatal Car Crash, Court Rules

“I don't think that this opinion actually will open up the Pandora's Box of saying, 'You can sue a website for how it's designed under all circumstances” — Eric Goldman, Professor of Law, Santa Clara University

Eric Goldman
Source: NPR: Technology
May 4, 2021

Stopping the Manipulation Machines

“Everyone is frustrated with dark patterns. Companies are taking a calculated risk that they won’t get caught doing deceptive things because there is no consistent enforcement mechanism for this.” — Lior Strahilevitz, Professor of Law, University of Chicago
Lior Strahilevitz
Source: The New York Times
April 30, 2021

Facebook Ends Ban on Political Advertising

“When you ban all campaign ads on the most accessible and affordable platform out there, you tilt the balance toward the candidates who can afford radio and television.” — Siva Vaidhyanathan, Professor of Media Studies, University of Virginia

Siva Vaidhyanathan
Source: The New York Times
March 6, 2021

A Leading Critic of Big Tech Will Join the White House

“Extreme economic concentration yields gross inequality and material suffering, feeding the appetite for nationalistic and extremist leadership.”  — Tim Wu, Professor of Law, Columbia University
Tim Wu
Source: The New York Times
March 5, 2021

Biden Adds Big Tech Critic Tim Wu to his Economic Staff

“I think breakups or undoing of mergers are actually called for more than we have appreciated in the last few decades.” — Tim Wu, Professor of Law, Columbia University
Tim Wu
Source: Reuters
March 5, 2021

Australia’s Draft Law Gives Facebook a Free Pass

Where will this end up? It will end up with the large digital platforms doing deals with the largest news outlets. Those deals will be multi-year lump-sum payments that enable everyone to go about their business. — Joshua Gans, Professor of Strategic Management, University of Toronto
Joshua Gans
Source: Asia Times
February 19, 2021

Facebook Blocks News in Australia, Diverging With Google on Proposed Law

“Google is already used to playing a different game in every different country; they may have gotten beyond this fantasy of a universalized approach to doing business in the world.” — Siva Vaidhyanathan, Professor of Media Studies, University of Virgina
Siva Vaidhyanathan
Source: The New York Times
February 17, 2021