[_fat_santa]

Looking at the situation from the shoes of a tech titan (Zuck, Musk, Bezos, etc), i almost see it as the lesser of two evils.

The problem they had was Lina Khan, who was dead set on breaking up their monopolies. They all decided to get into bed with the Trump admin and help het the guy elected, they all say it was for free speech but let’s get real it’s only because Lina Khan is no longer at FTC.

But now they have a different problem because Trump decided that tarrifs are a great idea and now they are going to take a massive hit over the next few years as folks outside the US increasingly look for non US cloud solutions.

[rconti]

The tech hate is bipartisan, however the tech companies got lucky that the Republican choice for President happens to be distinctly corrupt and easy to buy off with money and flattery. Additionally, his feelings are so easily hurt that Congress, which otherwise might implement bi-partisan tech legislation, is afraid of offending him for fear of being targets of his lashing out, so they're just sitting on the sidelines rather than legislating.

This is a unique set of circumstances; given any other combination of parties in power, with any different President, and they'd be in the bullseye right now.

[mandeepj]

> so they're just sitting on the sidelines rather than legislating.

Not really!! Many are schooling him these days, but he’s too dumb to understand anything

[nradov]

The tech titans' problems with the Biden administration went beyond Lina Khan. They were upset about foreign taxes and fines, and felt that the Biden administration hadn't done enough to promote the interests of US tech companies abroad. There may be some buyer's remorse at this point.

[mandeepj]

> The problem they had was Lina Khan, who was dead set on breaking up their monopolies.

Guess what? The breakup of their monopolies is still going to continue :-)

Free speech? Did Biden put a Bridle in their mouth to control their speech?

[bilbo0s]

The breakup of their monopolies is still going to continue

You believe that, if it brings you comfort.

[bryanlarsen]

Yes, if Europe creates alternatives to American monopolies, they won't be monopolies any more.

[mandeepj]

> You believe that, if it brings you comfort.

DOW hitting 100k+ and one of each in 'Magnificient 7' reaching 10T+ valuation, one day trip to Mars (conditionally, it has water and oxygen) - will bring me great comfort. It doesn't work that way, my friend!! Many times reality is harsher than it is not. We have to face it regardless of comfort.

[nradov]

The Biden administration coerced social media and technology companies into censoring user content. There was an implied threat that if the companies didn't comply then the administration would hit them in other ways. This was a violation of the spirit of the First Amendment, although not technically illegal.

https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/06/justices-side-with-biden-...

(Yes, I am aware that other administrations have also attempted various forms of censorship so let's not waste time on whataboutism.)

[add-sub-mul-div]

Trying to control misinformation about an unfolding pandemic is not the same as this: https://pen.org/banned-words-list/

Public health is primarily a responsibility, not a culture war.

[nradov]

Nonsense. The desire to control misinformation does not in any way justify censorship. The ends don't justify the means. And much of the content that was censored (or shadow banned or whatever) was either factually accurate, or simply opinions.