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By Christopher Mims The Wall Street Journal Thu., Oct. 25, 2018 The biggest tech companies have tremendous power over the hearts and minds of people—as much as many of the governments in countries where they operate. All over the world, citizens, bureaucrats and politicians are now pushing back against that power. Most often, the backlash is directed at America’s tech giants, such as Alphabet Inc.’s Google, Facebook Inc. and Amazon.com Inc., and how their ubiquity affects individuals and businesses. But resistance to Big Tech also includes China curbing the power of its own technology companies, and India rejecting foreign monopolists in favor of homegrown players. The largest tech businesses reach more people than any other companies have in history, and by many metrics they have also grown at unprecedented speeds. The companies themselves argue tech is bringing great benefits to people and improving their lives, yet when they enter industries, … [Read more...] about The global tech backlash is just beginning
Global tech india
Exclusive: Two US senators urge India to soften data localisation stance
Technology Two U.S. senators have called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to soften India's stance on data localisation, warning that measures requiring it represent "key trade barriers" between the two nations. 13 Oct 2018 06:00PM Bookmark NEW DELHI: Two U.S. senators have called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to soften India's stance on data localisation, warning that measures requiring it represent "key trade barriers" between the two nations.In a letter to Modi dated Friday and seen by Reuters, U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Mark Warner - co-chairmen of the Senate's India caucus - urged India to instead adopt a "light touch" regulatory framework that would allow data to flow freely across borders.The letter comes as relations between Washington and New Delhi are strained over multiple issues, including an Indo-Russian defence contract, Indian tariffs on electronics and other items, and India's push to purchase oil from Iran despite upcoming U.S. sanctions.Global tech … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Two US senators urge India to soften data localisation stance
Global tech firms gear up to fight India’s planned data law
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Global tech companies plan to oppose new legislation in India that would require Facebook, PayPal and others to store user data in the country, arguing it will hurt investment and the business models of foreign and domestic firms.In July, a government panel recommended that all "critical personal data" should be processed in India, and presented a draft bill that could affect how global firms store customer data.Facebook, Mastercard and PayPal fear the new law, which follows similar measures in China and Vietnam, would increase their compliance and infrastructure costs, and affect planned investments.Their concerns are to be taken up lobby groups planning a joint effort to pressure New Delhi to reconsider."The potential fear of restricting cross-border data flow would impact the business models of several Indian as well as global companies," said a draft of their letter addressed to India's information technology minister."Fear of restrictive regulation has the … [Read more...] about Global tech firms gear up to fight India’s planned data law
Global tech sales ‘to surpass $1 tn in 2012’
Smartphones and tablet computers will help push worldwide consumer electronics spending over $1 trillion this year but growth is sluggish compared to last year, according to industry analysts. A Brazilian boy looks at an ipad at the retail shop of Apple products in Sao Paulo. Smartphones and tablet computers will help push worldwide consumer electronics spending over $1 trillion this year but growth is sluggish compared to last year, according to industry analysts. "Most product categories are slowing down or going into contraction," Steve Bambridge, global business director for GfK Boutique Research said Sunday ahead of the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas."Really there's two main exceptions: tablets and smartphones," Bambridge said at a briefing for reporters before the official opening Tuesday of the high-tech gadget extravaganza.GfK and CES sponsor the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) forecast that global spending on technology products will grow five … [Read more...] about Global tech sales ‘to surpass $1 tn in 2012’
First time: India regulator CCI imposes US$21 mln penalty on Google for ‘search bias’
In a first of its kind, India's fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Thursday fined the global tech giant Google Rs 136.86 crore ($21.1 million) for abuse of its dominance and biased search practices in India. The CCI gave its verdict on complaints, filed in 2012, by CUTS, a consumer forum led by Pradeep Mehta, and Consim, which was a matrimonial website and Google AdWords customer, alleging that the search giant had been "infringing anti-trust conduct". However, Google maintained unbias and said it would review the ruling before making a decision. A spokesman for Google India said: "We have always focused on innovating to support the evolving needs of our users. The Competition Commission of India has confirmed that on the majority of issues it examined, our conduct complies with Indian competition laws. We are reviewing the narrow concerns identified by the Commission and will assess our next steps." Similar to Europe, Google in India was accused of indulging … [Read more...] about First time: India regulator CCI imposes US$21 mln penalty on Google for ‘search bias’