There are always some issues with the way the Big Tech operates. Big Tech refers to Meta (Facebook), Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet and Apple. The acronym for Big Tech is MAMAA.

Google and Amazon are facing cases in the US. After the action against Microsoft in 1998, this is the biggest action against Big Tech. There are cases in Europe. There instances of big fines being imposed on Big Tech — they run into billions of dollars. However, with market valuations running in trillions of dollars and incomes so large reduce the fines imposed into little more than flea bites.

A law now empowers consumers to decide what apps they require and to delete pre-loaded software. That will attract more competition for Google Pay and Apple Wallet.

Anti-trust regulation’s scope formerly was confined to consumer protection, but now the attempt is to extend it to protection of rival businesses too.

The Competition Commission of India too has imposed record fines on Google in two cases, and one more case is pending.

Internet’s journey was regulation free and fostered dynamic entrepreneurs. Technology advanced unhindered and innovations flourished. Internet promoted free speech but then it becomes toxic at times. Therefore, the free journey is likely to change henceforth. Social media affects politics and is affected by it. There are undue influences of countries like China and Russia on the policies of Big Tech. Big Tech violates the privacy of data. Amazon search results for products list advertised products till 16 to 20 ranks.

Big Tech denies interoperability across operating systems and create ‘walled gardens’. Either they thwart competition or buy the competition — Facebook buying WhatsApp and Instagram. There are issues of sharing revenue with news publishers.

Big Tech resorts to lobbying. They do vigorous defence. They change the business models to overcome the adverse verdicts. Big Tech stocks declined in value in 2022. There are lay-offs of people. They face battle on many fronts.