Big Tech companies Google and Meta are facing antitrust trials that could fundamentally reshape the internet economy.
The Google trial has already resulted in a ruling, while Meta’s trial is just beginning and may hinge on the power of MeWe.
The FTC’s case against Meta seems somewhat dubious, with questions still to be answered about Instagram and WhatsApp.
OpenAI is working on a social network that could rival X and become a major platform for users.
The trials and developments in Big Tech are likely to have a significant impact on the future of the internet economy and online platforms.
Our plan for this episode was to spend some time talking about antitrust regulation, because one of the biggest companies on the planet is currently in the midst of a trial that could fundamentally reshape the internet economy. And that was before Google lost its adtech trial! Two’s definitely a trend, in this case: Meta’s trial is just beginning, and we have a ruling in Google’s, but both companies are staring at a future that looks very different than the last 20 years.
On this episode of The Vergecast, The Verge‘s Alex Heath joins Nilay and David to talk through what the Google ruling means (with as little ad-tech talk as possible, we promise), as well as what it was like to be in the Meta courtroom all week. So far, the FTC’s case against Meta seems somewhat dubious, and might hinge a little too much on the power of MeWe. But that one is only just beginning, and there are many more questions about Instagram and WhatsApp still to come.
After that, we talk about some big news in the AI world. OpenAI is working on a social network, with plans to rival X and become the place people do… something. Post their ripoff photos? Make funny jokes with the help of ChatGP …
Q. What is Big Tech facing in terms of antitrust regulation?
A. Two major companies, Google and Meta, are currently in trials that could fundamentally reshape the internet economy.
Q. How did Google’s trial outcome affect its adtech business?
A. Google lost its adtech trial, which may indicate a trend for Big Tech companies to face challenges in their advertising businesses.
Q. What is The Vergecast episode about regarding Meta’s trial?
A. The episode discusses what the FTC’s case against Meta means and whether it seems dubious, with many questions still to come about Instagram and WhatsApp.
Q. What is OpenAI working on that could rival X?
A. OpenAI is developing a social network that aims to become a platform for users to share content, make jokes, and interact with each other using AI-powered tools like ChatGPT.
Q. Is Meta’s trial focused solely on the power of MeWe?
A. No, the FTC’s case against Meta seems to hinge somewhat on the power of MeWe, but there are still many questions about Instagram and WhatsApp to come.
Q. What is The Vergecast episode promise regarding ad-tech talk?
A. The hosts promised to discuss the Google ruling with as little ad-tech talk as possible.
Q. How does the outcome of Google’s trial affect its future prospects?
A. The ruling may indicate a future that looks very different than the last 20 years for Big Tech companies like Google.
Q. What is the significance of Meta’s trial beginning?
A. Meta’s trial marks an important development in the ongoing antitrust regulation efforts against Big Tech companies, with many questions still to come about Instagram and WhatsApp.
Q. How does OpenAI’s social network plan differ from X?
A. The exact details of how OpenAI’s social network will differ from X are not specified in the text, but it is mentioned that the new platform aims to become a rival to X.
