| | | | | | | Presented By M1 Finance | | | | Login | | By Ina Fried ·Jun 07, 2021 | | Do you ever have trouble coming up with something under pressure? Like when everyone is expecting you to say something and you just don't know what to say? Yeah, me neither. Situational awareness: France's competition watchdog said today it will fine Google $268 million for abusing its "dominant position" in the online advertising market, AP reports. Today's newsletter is 1,269 words, a 5-minute read. | | | | | | 1 big thing: Conservatives sound alarm against taking tech money |  | | | Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios | | | | Conservatives in Washington are growing much more leery of groups with financial ties to Big Tech, Axios' Kim Hart reports in this week's Tech Agenda column. Driving the news: The American Principles Project, a conservative advocacy group, will send a letter today warning Republican lawmakers and staffers to be aware of third-party lobbyists who receive funding from Big Tech. Why it matters: Third-party influence is a key lobbying strategy for major companies in Washington and has in the past been very effective for Silicon Valley. Now it's becoming a liability, making it even harder for tech companies and their allies to push their message on Capitol Hill. What they're saying: "Over the last two years, Big Tech has not only interfered in our elections and increasingly censored conservatives, but also simultaneously plotted to coopt the Republican Party and avoid scrutiny on the Right by pouring millions of dollars into center-right think tanks," Jon Schweppe, director of policy and government affairs at APP, writes in the letter. The big picture: There's growing suspicion of Big Tech by both parties, but for different reasons. - Democrats are angry that the platforms have allowed misinformation to proliferate, while Republicans are concerned that the platforms' content moderators have censored conservative views.
There's also rising suspicion of any person or group tied to the companies financially, regardless of how they they lean politically. - "Meeting with a group that gets Google money is essentially the same as meeting with a Google lobbyist,'" Schweppe told Axios about the letter.
- "When you get funding from an entity, you have some loyalty to that entity, especially when they're bankrolling your salary," he said. "Members don't always know how deep this influence is."
- The letter stops short of warning GOP lawmakers to halt all meetings with tech allies, but cautions to "carefully consider your interactions with Big-Tech funded groups."
The backdrop: Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), the lead Republican on the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee, announced recently that he will stop accepting donations from Amazon, Facebook and Google. The conservative Heritage Foundation has also halted financial support from the industry. The other side: As we've reported, Democrats are also pulling away from Big Tech donations, both as a way to paint the industry as toxic and to be able to claim independence when discussing policy ideas on the Hill. |     | | | | | | 2. Roblox CEO wants lower app store commissions |  | | | Screenshot: "Axios on HBO" | | | | Roblox CEO David Baszucki tells me that he would like to see Apple and Google cut their app store commissions, which have become a lightning rod for conflict between the mobile giants and developers. Why it matters: Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, has sued both companies seeking to be able to use its own in-app payment system on their mobile platforms, and both Apple and Google are also facing regulatory pressure over their app store policies. Roblox has great partnerships with companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft, Baszucki said, but he added that commissions are eating into how much Roblox can afford to pay developers. - "I think it's fair to say we haven't filed a lawsuit," Baszucki said, as part of a wide-ranging interview for "Axios on HBO." "And I think it's fair to say we would like to give more money back to the creators. Those two things are for sure, right?"
By the numbers: Of the revenue it earns from Robux, the virtual currency used in Roblox's environment, Roblox currently shares about a quarter with content creators, gives another quarter to platforms like Apple and Google and keeps a quarter as its own take, with the remainder allocated to the costs of running the Roblox platform. Between the lines: Roblox has remained quiet during the Apple-Epic battle even as its name came up during the recent trial. Yes, but: Roblox's actions spoke loudly despite its silence. - At one point in the trial, an Apple witness was questioned about whether Roblox's operation constituted a game store of the sort that Microsoft and others were prohibited from operating on iOS. Apple's witness described it more as a collection of experiences.
- Within days, Roblox had changed the wording throughout its web site, replacing the term "games" with "experiences."
Baszucki wouldn't comment directly on the abrupt change to the website, but said he liked how the company was described at trial. "We internally call it a metaverse app as opposed to a game store or streaming game store. And we think these are very different things. There's other platforms out there that I think are fair to call a metaverse app as well." The big picture: The metaverse is where Roblox, like Epic, sees its future, with Baszucki saying he sees opportunities in education and even for the workplace in Roblox's future. - Roblox isn't alone. In addition to "Fortnite" and Microsoft's "Minecraft," Facebook said Friday it was buying Unit 2 Games, the studio behind Crayta —a Roblox like platform, which Facebook plans to integrate it into its own gaming effort.
| | | | | | | | 3. Facebook pleases no one with Trump decision | | Facebook's decision, announced Friday, to ban former President Trump for the next two years is drawing ire from both sides of the aisle, Axios' Ashley Gold and Sara Fischer report. Why it matters: One part of the country won't rest easy until the former president is permanently banned from Facebook. The other won't be happy until he is allowed back on the platform. By issuing a stern warning against Trump's account but leaving the door open to letting him back on if his behavior changes, Facebook is toeing a fine line. The prolonged suspension announced Friday is eliciting jeers from Facebook critics who argue the tech giant is pandering to conservatives. - "Either Facebook is refusing to take meaningful action out of fear of right-wing backlash or, worse, it is in cahoots with right-wing extremists," said Angelo Carusone, president of Media Matters for America.
Be smart: An outright ban would have likely played into conservative taunts that the platform is biased against conservatives. - "Facebook is suspending former President Trump for two years, but continuing to allow [Chinese Communist Party] propaganda, Assad, and human smugglers to use their platform," Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) said.
The big picture: Facebook's Trump decision will have global repercussions as platforms reckon with free speech issues from world leaders around the world. | | | | | | | | A message from M1 Finance | | The water for your money tree | | |  | | | | With M1 Finance, your money is your money. What this means: M1 gives you more flexibility with your wealth. Customize and automate your investing, earn when you spend, and borrow when you need. Switch today and earn up to $2,500. Terms and conditions apply. | | | | | | 4. Scoop: White House hires broadband expert |  | | | Photo: Courtesy of Lisa Hone | | | | Lisa Hone, a longtime Federal Communications Commission attorney with deep expertise in broadband policy, has joined the National Economic Council team to steer the Biden administration's broadband expansion efforts Why it matters: Expanding broadband internet service to all Americans is a top priority for the Biden White House. Hone's primary focus is ensuring that money Congress allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act is spent appropriately. The big picture: The administration is trying to include broadband in infrastructure legislation, as the pandemic underscored the importance of reliable and affordable broadband connections to Americans' ability to participate in remote school, work, telehealth and e-commerce. Details: Hone, who officially started her job as as senior adviser for broadband and technology policy last week, is now the White House's point person on broadband deployment efforts happening across the government. | | | | | | | | 5. Take note | | On Tap - Apple holds its Worldwide Developer Conference online this week, starting with a keynote at 10am PT today. We'll have live coverage at Axios.com and analysis in tomorrow's Login.
Trading Places - Intel veteran Stu Pann has returned to the chipmaker as a senior VP of corporate planning after spending six years at HP running that company's supply chain.
ICYMI - A study found that the iPhone 12's MagSafe magnetic charging system could interfere with cardiac implants. (Axios)
- El Salvador's president announced a plan to make bitcoin legal tender. (Axios)
| | | | | | | | 6. After you Login | | This is a pretty good prank playing on people's desire for free WiFi. | | | | | | | | A message from M1 Finance | | Take control of your portfolio | | |  | | | | Investing is more than a way to grow wealth—it's putting stock in what matters to you. M1 Finance lets you build your portfolio according to your unique strategy, goals, and ethos. Switch today and earn up to $2,500. Terms and conditions apply. | | |  | | The tool and templates you need for more engaging team updates. | | | | | | Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here.
Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201 | | | You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios.
Change your preferences or unsubscribe here. | | | Was this email forwarded to you?
Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox. | | | | Follow Axios on social media:    | | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment