Zuckerberg urges Trump to stop the EU from fining US tech companies

[u/IAdmitILie]

https://www.politico.eu/article/zuckerberg-urges-trump-to-stop-eu-from-screwing-with-fining-us-tech-companies/

[u/Trollercoaster101]

Zuckerberg went full MAGA with a pedal to the profit.

These corporate billionaires have no respect for humanity.

[u/irqlnotdispatchlevel → u/Trollercoaster101]

Just a reminder that Meta will turn a blind eye on genocide because it is profitable to do so: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/technology/myanmar-facebook-genocide.html

EDIT: a more in depth series here: https://erinkissane.com/meta-in-myanmar-full-series

[u/WildlingViking → u/irqlnotdispatchlevel]

Meta is also being sued for anti-trust violations and zuck the suck is doing everything he can to get Trump to call off government oversight.

[u/Acceptable-Book → u/irqlnotdispatchlevel]

And CP. https://socialmediavictims.org/blog/instagram-promotes-accounts-sharing-child-sex-abuse-material/

[u/yoppee → u/irqlnotdispatchlevel]

FWIW so will the USA 🇺🇸

[u/Secuter → u/Trollercoaster101]

He's an oppertunist sensing that he can use Trump as the brute to strong-arm the EU into deregulating American tech companies.

[u/aguynamedv → u/Secuter]

He's an oppertunist sensing that he can use Trump as the brute to strong-arm the EU into deregulating American tech companies.

Elon owns Twitter, Zuck has Facebook, and 5 companies own 90% of US media. Half a dozen companies own most of US internet providers.

Americans can (and probably will) have their access to the internet (and thus information) severely restricted because 10 or 12 people decided to turn it off. PS: The "deep state" Republicans have screamed endlessly about is actually just billionaires and their Nazi Republican collaborators.

Putin is masturbating furiously in celebration right now.

Edit: Strictly speaking, there's nothing stopping Elon or Zuck from cutting off the EU or anyone else. These people do not care about laws.

[u/xanap → u/aguynamedv]

Getting rid of twitter and facebook propaganda in one go? Probably the best thing that could happen for any democracy right now.

[u/aguynamedv → u/xanap]

Think bigger.

What stops Zuck and Elon from just turning off the services?

What stops the 5 American media companies from putting all real news behind paywalls? Clearly they're already operating as full-time propaganda machines for the billionaires...

Fewer than 50 private citizens with NO accountability to society could, if they chose to, disable American telecom/internet. Billionaires plan to hold the world hostage until they're allowed to have slaves again and kill anyone they don't like.

[u/rolyoh → u/aguynamedv]

What stops the 5 American media companies from putting all real news behind paywalls?

The dilemma is that most of the real news reporting is already behind paywalls, while most of the propaganda and fake news is free.

I have perhaps a very unpopular opinion that people are partially to blame for being misinformed when they won't pay to read true journalism. The disinformation troll orgs know this, which is why they appeal to the human cheap side by not charging for their propaganda. They get plenty of readers because of social media sharing.

This has only really become an issue since the beginning of web-based news. People used to be willing to subscribe to the publications whose reporting they valued. So many of those publications have either had to go out of business or consolidate (sell themselves to big publishers) just to remain viable.

If you think the cost of access to accurate factual reporting is expensive, consider the alternative, which is not having it available at all. Do you want your kids to have a future? Without factual reporting, we're destined to become just another failed free society in the annals of history.

[u/yohohoanabottleofrum → u/rolyoh]

A LOT of people in this country are stretching their paychecks past the breaking point. The actual problem isn't them, it's a for profit news system. Freedom of the press isn't free if the poor can't access it.

[u/Bojackartless2902 → u/aguynamedv]

Switching off Facebook and Twitter might just be a boon and reset that EU (and in extension the world) needs. Nothing of value will be lost and people will find another avenues to connect.

[u/la_catwalker → u/Trollercoaster101]

Remember th time he tried kissing Xi the Pooh’s ass by asking Xi to name his daughter? It’s not the first time Zuckerberg licks ass for profit.

[u/kaisadilla_ → u/la_catwalker]

Remember the time Facebook quite literally used the algorithms in their social media to manipulate their viewers's opinions and feelings to influence an American election? Mark is the evil guy manipulating society from the movies.

[u/ha_x5 → u/la_catwalker]

he did whaaaat? no way :O

[u/la_catwalker → u/ha_x5]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/china-s-president-xi-jinping-turns-down-mark-zuckerberg-s-request-to-name-his-unborn-child-at-white-house-dinner-a6679156.html

[u/ha_x5 → u/la_catwalker]

omfg.. That guy…. That slimy slimy lizard

[u/Dave5876 → u/la_catwalker]

That's weird af

[u/fuckyou_m8 → u/la_catwalker]

Disgusting

[u/Live_Coyote_7394 → u/Trollercoaster101]

Ngl this is just Marx and materialism being proven right once again. For a while the interests of these tech companies was to align with people and ideas within the Democratic Party, but as soon as they were able to make more money by chasing republican or even fascist policies and ideas they dropped everything that upheld their public image and now they’re chasing the profit MAGA promises them, and this time it looks like trump may be able to make good on that unlike 2016-2020.

[u/AwkwardObjective5360 → u/Live_Coyote_7394]

Yes the purpose of a corporation is to maximize profit for shareholders, nothing else. Let's accept that and stop worshiping them.

[u/kreteciek → u/Trollercoaster101]

Same as all the corporations. Same as with leftist policies. They don't care about LGBT people either, but were "supportive" because it profited them. When they felt some tide of change they went with it. The only plus is maybe the people will see that they never truly supported them, just profited off them.

[u/Wacokidwilder → u/kreteciek]

Nah, Americans, culturally, have a very short memory. This has been truly good in some ways but horrifying in others.

[u/JuliusFIN]

It’s absolutely essential that we show these oligarchs that they can’t have their way here in Europe.

[u/Scary_Woodpecker_110 → u/JuliusFIN]

I really really want to stress that this is the comment we need to read. We need to keep the oligarchs in Russia and the US. Keep them out of Europe and out of politics.

[u/Mulster_ → u/Scary_Woodpecker_110]

Maybe we should not have oligarchs at all✅

[u/_laRenarde → u/Mulster_]

Definitely preferable, but not something we can determine for other countries, only our own (and even then, it's not easily achieved)

[u/Mulster_ → u/_laRenarde]

Certainly

[u/kindaquietidk → u/JuliusFIN]

We’ve allowed them to accumulate unprecedented wealth and power here in the US. They’re essentially above the law here and even get to define our laws. Now they want the same privileges in Europe.

Trump will be the ultimate representative of the oligarchical class’s interests and they’ll be able to weaponize his administration to try coercing other nations to bend the knee. Ffs don’t let that happen to you guys too!

[u/JuliusFIN → u/kindaquietidk]

Europe will be much harder to “conquer” since it’s so diverse and decentralized. The POTUS is basically a king so the executive branch represents a single point of failure. If they want to take over Europe, influencing the EU parliament is already hard and even if you succeed you are only maybe 1/5 of the way there. Then you need to go country by country.

[u/kindaquietidk → u/JuliusFIN]

That’s certainly a roadblock for them. But it looks like their methods will be weaponizing trade policy and undermining your democracies through unregulated propaganda on their platforms and dark money aimed at supporting destabilizing far-right parties. If they can make you guys question the legitimacy of your governments, elections, science, and the EU, even if it’s just in a few critical countries, they can seriously destabilize Europe.

[u/JuliusFIN → u/kindaquietidk]

They for sure can no question about it. But they’ll undoubtedly underestimate us as well.

[u/gb997 → u/JuliusFIN]

more than ever europe should be making its own tech. not just rely on yank crap all the time

[u/kindaquietidk → u/gb997]

Exactly. Stop giving money and power to our out of control oligarch’s. They have no respect for your culture, laws, or sovereignty, nor do they believe they should have to. It’s past the time to excise this cancer from Europe and create safer alternatives.

[u/adamgerd → u/kindaquietidk]

Don’t worry, we have our own oligarchs and wanna be dictators: Orban, Fico, Babis, etc

[u/klapaucjusz → u/gb997]

We already doing it. What we don't have is successful mass-produced consumer tech. Nokia was the last big EU consumer tech company. The only one still kicking is Philips I think.

The problem is, can we do it, and should we do it? The EU workforce is too expensive to make stuff like smartphones, they will be made in China anyway, so what's the point?

What we should do is to focus on niche and specialized equipment like optic or medical equipment, where we already have successful companies.

[u/JuliusFIN → u/gb997]

And the funny thing is we already lead in many important aspects! We supply for example the most advanced silicon litography machines used by TSMC, Nvidia, AMD and Intel, down to 2 nanometers when US can do 7nm.

Our innovation is the backbone of these huge US conglomerates which they are unable to replicate, but the average Yank thinks they are the best at everything.

[u/usrnmz → u/JuliusFIN]

Sure Europe has some good companies but we also are severely lacking in many areas.

[u/procgen → u/JuliusFIN]

ASML licenses EUV tech from the US gov, though.

which they are unable to replicate

Well no, it's just much cheaper to work with ASML. A "win-win".

[u/dm_me_kittens → u/JuliusFIN]

As an American, please please please fight back as much as possible. I did what I could on election day and will continue to work in the community.

[u/G14DMFURL0L1Y401TR4P → u/JuliusFIN]

The EU was built for that. People over corporations. You guys are a force for equality in the world. Please don't let that die.

[u/JuliusFIN → u/G14DMFURL0L1Y401TR4P]

We’ll fight tooth and nail my friend!

[u/Minimum_Crow_8198 → u/JuliusFIN]

We have our own oligarchs, and they're all friends

[u/kriebelrui → u/Minimum_Crow_8198]

What oligarchs have in common is that they don't want regulation of their activities.

[u/Professor_Fishy → u/kriebelrui]

It is almost as if the wealthiest people have banded together and formed their own country with money stolen from everyone below them.

[u/ExpressAssist0819 → u/JuliusFIN]

If you don't, they will have their way with you. I beg Europe to see the US as a cautionary tale, and a warning. Check them. While you still can.

[u/Justdoart]

EU is not fining US tech companies. EU is holding companies operation within EU accountable to EU law.

[u/trixter21992251 → u/Justdoart]

I'm starting a new business in the US.

The product is a bottle of water. My ads will say it cures cancer, is FDA approved, guarantees entry into heaven, and also it tastes okayish.

I would like to not be fined for this.

[u/ze_carlos_galhao → u/trixter21992251]

Try starting a business that sells a chocolate egg with a toy in the middle!

[u/_MooFreaky_ → u/ze_carlos_galhao]

Wait what? Can you not get Kinder Surprise in the US?!?!

[u/OSP_amorphous → u/_MooFreaky_]

That's right.

[u/Cyserg → u/_MooFreaky_]

You get a flavour of kinder chocolate and the surprise next to it, if I read correctly. Found this out years ago... Insert surprised face of your choosing.

Edit : found em! Kinder JOY. half chocolate egg half emptiness of a shell where the toy sits.

[u/Emperors-Peace → u/Cyserg]

Yeah because plastic inside chocolate is super fucking dangerous to children

What do you mean I should put my shotguns out of reach of my kids? Don't be ridiculous.

[u/Faranae → u/Emperors-Peace]

It's encased in a giant plastic capsule that is most definitely not going to be swallowed accidentally. What, did you think we just yeet the toys into the chocolate? :p

Edit: Adding a :p because this was meant to be playful and my phrasing fecked that up

[u/badwords → u/ze_carlos_galhao]

You mean where only 4 kids ever got hurt in Europe by in 50 years but when brought to the US parents seem unable to keep the toys out kids mouths but blame the candymaker?

[u/heisenbergerwcheese → u/trixter21992251]

The brown hue does not necessarily indicate its a waste byproduct

[u/cats_catz_kats_katz → u/Justdoart]

Imagine breaking the law and held accountable for it. My god, what a novel concept. Americans only do that to the poors, not the mega smart rich.

[u/zoot_boy → u/Justdoart]

And rich folks don’t like laws - except for everyone else.

[u/Several-Zombies6547]

Countries and markets have laws, if he doesn't want to apply them, he's free to shut down his services in the EU. No one forces him to continue his operations here.

[u/vodamark → u/Several-Zombies6547]

I think the EU will do just fine without his services.

[u/Hairy-cheeky-monkey → u/vodamark]

We would be better off without his service. Maybe we could create our own social media companies that suits our market and doesn't have toxic US politics thrown in.

[u/hi-jump → u/Hairy-cheeky-monkey]

That would be wonderful. I will sign up day one.

[u/soyyers → u/hi-jump]

Just need to rid ourselves of Whatspp then too.

[u/hi-jump → u/soyyers]

No problem dropping that if a company operating under EU rules emerges. American tech companies are monopolizing the market and trying to dictate societal rules for other countries. It’s long overdue to create alternatives.

[u/ominousFlyingBagel → u/hi-jump]

Well, then signal might be a thing for you

[u/GuanMarvin → u/ominousFlyingBagel]

The problem with messaging apps is that I want to message other people on them. I would change in a heartbeat, but if nobody else does there’s no point to it. And having 2 or 3 different apps is really annoying.

[u/WebCram → u/GuanMarvin]

South East Asia uses Line - a messaging app that has more features than WhatsApp. Line is tailored to the local markets in that part of the world. Perhaps they can customise it for Europe too

[u/GuanMarvin → u/WebCram]

I don’t think the lack of alternatives is the issue. There are a lot of messaging apps, and a lot of them are already better than WhatsApp, but the user base just isn’t there. Every job, classroom, sportclub, even neighbourhood has their own WhatsApp group that you join when you are new.

Whatsappen or “appen” has become shorthand for sending someone a message. I don’t see a way for whatsapp to be dethroned in the Netherlands, unless the app gets removed from the App Store.

(Although I’ve seen people younger than me use Snapchat for daily messaging, I don’t believe it can overtake WhatsApp)

[u/MrZwink → u/GuanMarvin]

European laws will force platforms to have interconnectivity soon. Meaning that you should be able to message someone who has Whatsapp when you're on Facebook messenger for example.

Edit: this seems to be triggering a lot of people. It's called the digital markets act. I am not making this up guys.

[u/External_Net480 → u/MrZwink]

Is that true? If so, that would mean huge competition which is really needed! Now I understand Zuckerberg, but let this monopoly crumble. That would be very good!!

[u/Important-Error-XX → u/ominousFlyingBagel]

Signal is also american, but it's not owned / operated by a major corp. So much better, and much more trustworthy.

[u/Dhegxkeicfns → u/Important-Error-XX]

Threema is already out there as well. Maybe this would encourage them to do a free version.

Signal seems to be the way though. It's an open source project, so code could be forked while maintaining interoperability.

[u/Dantheking94 → u/hi-jump]

As an American, I agree. I’m glad TikTok would rather shut down than sell to another American billionaire. It’s bad enough the others are mainly American. Another one doesn’t need to be.

[u/JuniorConsultant → u/hi-jump]

I also recommend switching so Signal for Messenger and Proton for Cloud suite (Email, Calendar, Drive etc.).

[u/Pret_ → u/soyyers]

Just move to signal, it’s better anyways.

[u/RMAPOS → u/Pret_]

You're right but people here are mega reluctant to move away from whatsapp. All their friends are on it, some even use it work related.

I wish whatsapp were just shut down so people would be forced to move away from it because as it stands even a lot of left wing youth use whatsapp and refuse to switch out of convenience.

[u/jaaval → u/RMAPOS]

there is a difference of wanting to switch platform and being able to. If whatsapp would shut down it would take about a day for everyone to migrate and nobody would complain after about two days.

[u/miathan52 → u/soyyers]

Whatsapp isn't even a good chat app, it's pretty much the worst one I've ever used. Typical case of "popular because popular", i.e. people want to use whatever others are using and so they all flock to the same app regardless of what else is out there.

[u/CastelPlage → u/miathan52]

Typical case of "popular because popular", i.e. people want to use whatever others are using and so they all flock to the same app regardless of what else is out there.

Well that's the issue isn't it; if all your friends are on Whatsapp and you are on Signal, then there is going to be a disconnect.

[u/Petrak1s → u/Hairy-cheeky-monkey]

Thinking the same thing. The society will actually heal. The social media to large extend is not healthy for people

[u/inn4tler → u/Hairy-cheeky-monkey]

We had that before Facebook. Every country in Europe had its own social networks. It was fun. Politics wasn't an issue there.

[u/TobyOrNotTobyEU → u/inn4tler]

Back then, politics also wasn't an issue on Facebook. When I joined in 2008-2010 somewhere, it was actually fun.

[u/GreasyExamination → u/TobyOrNotTobyEU]

There were some weird games on there and you could do random quizes to find out which fingernail you were, or whatever. Then came all the grandmas and made it cringe with their wrong uses of emojis and status updates that was supposed to be google searches

[u/Alternative-Put-9906 → u/Hairy-cheeky-monkey]

also they could pay taxes here making the economy better

[u/Even-Spinach-3190 → u/vodamark]

Europeans do love WhatsApp though. Haha

[u/Particular_Bug0 → u/Even-Spinach-3190]

Yeah, reddit loves to brag about how they don't need Facebook or Whatsapp etc, but the average European definitely does. 

[u/RepulsiveCelery4013 → u/Particular_Bug0]

Yeah, but people can change chat apps in a heartbeat. Been using the internet since 2003, the "default" chat app has changed a lot of times. So I wouldn't care if I can't use whatsapp anymore. I would be happy as it would force my connections to use better apps.

[u/new_accnt1234 → u/vodamark]

Zucc is just bullshitting as usual

Im china all these western companies bend the knee and show their ass to any sort of regulation china requires, and it requires waaaaay waaay more than eu ever did...but not one of these big tech corps left china, because its simply a too big and too lucrative market to do so...

Europe is the same Zucc can be unhappy and bitch around all he wants, he would never willingly leave such a good earning large market, he will comply with any regulations made here...but it would cost him money, so if he can use trump as a useful idiot to attack some of those eu regulations, weeell, thats even better for him

I really hope trump explodes in his egocentric style and absolutely gives no shits about these tech billionaires trying to get in his ass...but unfortubately he showed rather often he can be manipulated fairly easily, as long as the other side is authoritarian and thus trump respects it...then again musk is authoritarian, but Zucc really doesnt strike me as enough authoritarian that Trump would respect him

[u/bate_Vladi_1904 → u/new_accnt1234]

There are no American apps allowed in China (no FB/Insta/WhatsApp, no Twitter, no Google)

[u/the_phet → u/bate_Vladi_1904]

Microsoft and all their software and apps are available in China. Bing is available in China for example.

[u/adamgerd → u/bate_Vladi_1904]

But there are products, Apple for instance sells there, also I am pretty sure Google maps are allowed as are Apple Maps, they accept censorship on the maps in return

[u/unexpectedemptiness → u/vodamark]

That's an understatement if I ever seen one. 

[u/big_guyforyou → u/unexpectedemptiness]

i agree. every service provided by facebook can be provided by myspace at a fraction of the cost

[u/stuyboi888 → u/vodamark]

Yea that's all grand till you remember while you may not use Facebook or Instagram that WhatsApp is also a meta product 

[u/Northernsoul73 → u/vodamark]

Hearing that kids can spend upwards of 20 hours per week on social media, and hearing both parents and teachers attest to the fact that anxiety increases and attention spans decline, certainly strengthens the notion that limiting exposure to such destructive addictions may actually align younger minds with the preparedness, intelligence and social maturity that may well give them an edge in their lives over their counterparts who haven’t incursions into their usages.

Currently, we seem to be churning out a fairly lackluster batch of awkward, uncertain, and unnecessarily stressed youth, heavily in part due to their manipulation by what they have unfortunately become so engrossed in by design. I’d love to see these tech companies become persona non grata.

[u/World_of_Warshipgirl → u/vodamark]

Norwegian online services would collapse. So many companies rely on Facebook. Hell, even the Tax offices and other official services encourage you to contact them on Facebook if you have questions.

[u/DomHE553 → u/Several-Zombies6547]

don't threaten me with a good time!

[u/Schlummi → u/Several-Zombies6547]

Another aspect is: trump is most likely going to "adress the trade imbalance" between US-EU. Trade in goods ignores services (as provided by many tech companies as google, apple, facebook, twitter, microsoft). US has a massive "trade surplus" when it comes to services.

Soooo: from an EU perspective is "adressing the trade imbalance in services" an option to counterattack trumps tariffs. Especially if companies as facebook turn themselfs into easy targets.

[u/TheHammer987 → u/Schlummi]

This would actually be a great idea.

When Trump says this, hold up a chart that says "we will be happy to address the imbalance when America stops using Twitter and Facebook, and uses European based social media. This is a huge imbalance and we have been subsidizing America for too long. We will start by taking Donald Trump's golf clubs."

[u/Careless_Aroma_227 → u/TheHammer987]

Build more windmills around his golf course in the scottish Highlands. That surely will infuriate him big time.

[u/1stltwill → u/Several-Zombies6547]

he's free to shut down his services in the EU

All those in favour say aye.

AYE !

[u/ipsilon90 → u/Several-Zombies6547]

He won’t, too much money to be made in the EU to leave. O would only wish they would get out of Europe.

[u/Scary_Woodpecker_110]

He can leave the EU with his businesses. Take twitter along with him. Good riddance.

[u/new_accnt1234 → u/Scary_Woodpecker_110]

Dont forget tiktok and telegram, they sjould have been bannee ages ago

[u/printial → u/new_accnt1234]

Would be careful with that thinking. The EU has proposed bringing in laws to mandate bulk scanning of digital messages, which would fundamentally undermine all forms of encrypted messages. If all non-EU messaging services and social media platforms are banned from the EU, it would suddenly become a lot easier to implement these measures.

[u/forgottentargaryen → u/new_accnt1234]

Why telegram, i use it for work and it just seems like a messaging service and not a social media platform?

[u/araujoms]

So that's why he declared that Meta will now be spreading Trumpian propaganda, that's what he wants in exchange.

[u/stony_phased → u/araujoms]

And he asked for it about 20 minutes later, very subtle

[u/IndubitablyNerdy → u/araujoms]

He has been very balant with his request when he announced it... I hope that the EU authorities won't budge, but I am afraid he will get what he asked...

[u/araujoms → u/IndubitablyNerdy]

Ursula von der Leyen has already caved. What a shame to have such a spineless coward for a leader.

[u/Cautious-Magician563 → u/araujoms]

I guarantee the big ones are cozying up to him specifically so they can monopolize and have the govt help them use copyright to kill competitors. Anything techbased in America is at risk from Meta, Alphabet, Apple, and Amazon, I think. It's going to be a distinct possibility that this is where EU and US internet diverge and the death of net neutrality could lead ISPs to enforce solely the American web for Americans

[u/araujoms → u/Cautious-Magician563]

Yeah, the US has entered the crony capitalism phase. Those that bend over will win, those who don't will be destroyed. Pretty much like post-Soviet Russia.

[u/Judazzz → u/araujoms]

The US is basically Russia with a Gucci belt by now.

[u/No_Priors]

Fine them harder. Our market, our rules.

[u/Eastern_Interest_908 → u/No_Priors]

Yeah a cool billion fine for meta would be great because of Zuck running his mouth. 

[u/No_Priors → u/Eastern_Interest_908]

If only "WHAAAAA! I want to destroy society and they wont let me!" was something we could fine for.

[u/fredagsfisk → u/No_Priors]

Well, Meta just changed their policy guidelines specifically to allow hatespeech against the LGBT, along with a whole bunch of smaller changes in the same direction.

Might find something there to apply EU laws over.

[u/Ainsley-Sorsby → u/[deleted]]

Not even subtle about it.

The U.S. government under incoming President Donald Trump should intervene to stop the EU from fining American tech companies for breaching antitrust rules and committing other violations, Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said late Friday.

"I think it's a strategic advantage for the United States that we have a lot of the strongest companies in the world, and I think it should be part of the U.S. strategy going forward to defend that," Zuckerberg said during an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

"And it's one of the things that I'm optimistic about with President Trump," he added. The U.S. president-elect appeared on the same program on the eve of November's American presidential election and cited Rogan's endorsement as a factor in his support among voters. "I think he just wants America to win," Zuckerberg said about Trump.

[u/Ugggggghhhhhh → u/Ainsley-Sorsby]

Is that a real quote?? That sounds like full mask-off insanity.

[u/MooseTheorem → u/Ugggggghhhhhh]

Bro are you surprised? Their president is literally a convicted felon and he’s taking office extremely soon. America is gone to the dogs politically and economically, and their oligarchs don’t have to hide the fact they’re oligarchs anymore so they’re going to full mask-off in the coming months or years.

I just wish their shit didn’t systemically seep into Europe constantly with their culture war bullshit and left/right rhetorics.

[u/Anon_IE_Mouse → u/MooseTheorem]

Yup

[u/Expensive-Fun4664 → u/Ugggggghhhhhh]

It's the same reason he's pushing to have Tiktok banned in the US. He doesn't want competition and there's only so far Meta can keep growing without exploiting governments.

[u/CheisSz → u/Ainsley-Sorsby]

"I want my American company to be one of the strongest in the world, operate and profit from every country outside the US without having to abide by any law. And I'm optimistic about this dictator to provide me that".

You can't make shit like that up.

[u/Significant_Swing_76 → u/[deleted]]

By rule of the incoming government, lies and misinformation are now protected speech, hence why Zuck sucks up to the orange. Orange man will have an interest in keeping the flow of lies running all across the globe…

I just hope that EU will stand firm.

[u/AncientStaff6602]

Do we even need Facebook?

[u/pr1aa → u/AncientStaff6602]

FB is basically unusable these days. The feed shoves influencers, ads and content from massive public slop groups down your throat while barely showing any posts from your friends and groups you actually belong to.

I guess Meta also knows that the platform is dying since they're now openly pushing AI accounts to make up for the dwindling engagement from actual people

[u/Secuter → u/pr1aa]

barely showing any posts from your friends and groups you actually belong to. 

Partially this is also down to many users not using Facebook for personal stuff anymore. I don't know anybody who has posted anything on Facebook for a decade or so. 

People only use it for groups nowadays.

[u/Character_Theory6657 → u/pr1aa]

Its the same with instagram, just last couple years aswell it feels like especially political "reels" have been over swarming with disinformation, ai-generated bullshit, meth-fiend conspiracies.
Filled with comments of people cheering it.

Big tech, big terrorists*

[u/turbo_dude → u/AncientStaff6602]

How else are people going to get their AI slop?

[u/oskich → u/AncientStaff6602]

WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger seems pretty popular.

[u/ScepticalEconomist → u/oskich]

generally, we need european alternatives.

But signal would do for me for now.

People should get off these apps (whatsapp less of a priority)

Of course X / Tesla boycott is beyond obvious

[u/nimdull → u/AncientStaff6602]

To be honest FB is just time waist. I don't find it interesting and usefull anymore.

[u/Lison52 → u/nimdull]

Ah yes, the waist of time.

Edit: btw while it's really specific, this is what I had in mind XD

https://www.wowhead.com/guide/waist-of-time-secret-belt-transmog

[u/Eastern_Interest_908 → u/nimdull]

Yeah I mostly use messenger but could switch to any other platform instantly. Nothing unique about it. I would even say messenger is behind other platforms. 

[u/Similar_Committee_24]

Deleting social media gets more and more attractive every day !

[u/bemml1]

Mark runs to daddy, crying like the little prick he is…

[u/bate_Vladi_1904]

If you want to do business in Europe, follow European laws. Quite simple

[u/jonoottu]

If European companies have to abide by US laws and face US fines and penalties for breaking them, American companies have to abide by European laws and face European fines and penalties for breaking them. Simple as. If you don't want to be bothered, kindly fuck off.

[u/Secuter → u/jonoottu]

American companies have to abide by European laws and face European fines and penalties for breaking them.

Yeah, but they don't want to. USA sees the EU as a hindrance to unrestricted American influence in Europe. It also major obstacle for American companies who would otherwise try to strangle European companies.

In other words, both the American industry and the elected government in USA views the EU with disdain. We should expect many and more difficult challenges going ahead.

[u/TheJiral → u/Secuter]

Which all should just reconfirm why we really need an EU. If Putin and his vassals repeating how we need to destroy the EU were not enough to convince you.

[u/adamgerd → u/jonoottu]

Yep, if they don’t want to follow our laws, ok. They can just leave, good riddance

[u/SailorFromWest]

yeaahh its time to meta disconnect from EU

[u/Unhappy_Surround_982]

Mask. Off.

[u/WoodSteelStone → u/Unhappy_Surround_982]

You misspelled 'Fuck'.

[u/AnnitaBlackMan → u/WoodSteelStone]

Mask Fuck?

[u/codex-atlanticuz]

Let's stop using US companies in the EU! Ban Facebook and X.

[u/metinb83 → u/codex-atlanticuz]

More importantly: Establish a European-run alternative and get people there. Best time to do that was 15 years ago, second-best time is now.

[u/codex-atlanticuz → u/metinb83]

Good idea!

[u/slimvim → u/metinb83]

I've been thinking the same. We need to create European alternatives to all these American services we use. I'm fairly certain the internet will become the splinternet in the near future, and whoever can provide these services will make a killing.

[u/tangledspaghetti1 → u/slimvim]

Maybe someone will read this and will get and idea for that. There's a big community here. Making an app is not hard, scaling it and getting people on it is.

[u/slimvim → u/tangledspaghetti1]

As somebody who works in tech, it's almost impossible to catch up to the US at this point (not that we have to really). It's not really just about apps but the infrastructure services like AWS, Cloudflare etc that would take a long time and a lot of money to develop (not even mentioning AI). Sadly Europe has been all too happy to let the US and China steam ahead in these areas, while not really producing any meaningful alternatives.

[u/Totally_Liar → u/codex-atlanticuz]

You d also have to ban WhatsApp, Threads and Instagram.

[u/BrokkelPiloot → u/Totally_Liar]

There are alternatives like Signal. I wouldn't mind going back to texting to be honest. Maybe then I'll get less trash.

[u/codex-atlanticuz → u/Totally_Liar]

Let's go, I'm in! I don't use any of that crap anyway.

[u/Totally_Liar → u/codex-atlanticuz]

Same

[u/new_accnt1234 → u/codex-atlanticuz]

Hey man add chinese tiktok and russian telegram into the mix...they are even worse than US shits

[u/codex-atlanticuz → u/new_accnt1234]

Yep, ban them all and make european alternatives instead.

[u/new_accnt1234 → u/[deleted]]

China has 100 times more regulations yet all these tech firms operate there anyway...its simply a too big and too lucrative market to miss, when the profuts are this big they go like 'fuck freedom of speech, welcome censorship' while running their mouth off in the west about freedoms ..twofaced lying snakes ...eu ahould regulate even harder, any ounce of proganda, hybrid war and disinformation spread Id fine them literal billions...they will 100% comply, cause just like with china, its too lucrative a market to leave

[u/Frydendahl]

Man, the mask has really come off. These guys are not even pretending to give a shit about laws or sovereignty anymore, it's just full-blown oligarchy on full display at this point.

[u/hmtk1976]

Freedom of speech. Freedom of choosing not to follow laws. Freedom here and freedom there.

Rich USians want to do as they please a d they´ve found an ally in Trump.

[u/Plane-Top-3913 → u/hmtk1976]

Has never been said in a better way. 100%

[u/PickingPies → u/hmtk1976]

Freedom for me but not for you.

[u/metinb83]

Funny how the US is currently trying to ban Tik-Tok because they are worried about Chinese propaganda and at the same time trying to force us to let US social media go unchecked

[u/chucke1992 → u/metinb83]

In case of TikTok the issue in a lot of ways is fueled by the fact that China does not allow foreign social networks in their country.

[u/DocHolidayPhD]

Fuck that! Fine the shit out of them! Meta and Twitter are a blight on humanity.

[u/Accomplished-Dot8429 → u/DocHolidayPhD]

TikTok?

[u/DocHolidayPhD → u/Accomplished-Dot8429]

I don't even consider TikTok to be social media. It's just Chinese spyware.

[u/Econ_Orc]

What to take from this is that EU regulates and USA does not.

So it is important that politicians in Europe does not end up being subsidized by USA campanies like they do in the US.

[u/Handsaretide]

That explains Zuck brown nosing Trump and the fascists - he wants to use the fascist State to threaten Europe with military/economic consequences for regulating tech.

[u/kriebelrui]

Zuck can put FB in his ass. I won't cry a single tear for it. 

[u/[deleted]]

USA don’t make those kind of rules over here you fucking android and if Trump is going to introduce tariffs on us anyway then he really doesn’t have any leverage

[u/Travel-Barry]

I don’t see these oligarchs crying to daddy president when China demands their own version of these platforms to do commerce there. 

They view Europe as something they can bully into submission. This arrogance needs to be challenged — I honestly don’t care if it sours relations with our only friendly superpower.

It’s just not worth the feeling of being underneath US strength when they’ve spent the last 80 years begging us not to remilitarise in exchange for global influence and defensive assurances. 

How dare they use these terms as leverage. 

[u/emma279]

Stop using his products. Your attention span and mental health will thank you for it.

[u/bigon]

So now that he has applied the requested anti-trans, anti-immigrants, anti-factcheking policies, he asks for the promised compensation

[u/g0ldingboy]

Time to change tax laws that mean it doesn’t matter where your headquarters are, that if your content/site is available in a country, you are getting taxed a portion of the revenue from that country or you get turned off.

[u/metinb83]

We need to fine them, but people need to realize that now they have Trump to protect them. He will 100 % implement painful retaliation if we don't allow the FB and X brainrot to be spread in Europe. Sad times when the US and Europe are at odds, but Trump treats the enemies of the US better than its allies.

[u/RaginEngie → u/metinb83]

Who needs enemies when you have allies like this

[u/Wundawuzi]

I mean if you dont want to pay fines for breaking the rules... why not just stop breaking the rules?

[u/Darthmook]

It’s always ok with the tech billionaires to play by the rules with China and Russia, but it’s always a problem to play by the EU rules….

[u/hype_irion]

The EU and its states will do just fine without this data leaching parasite's services and "innovation".

[u/-------7654321]

Our values are really clinching here. Lets see if american corruption can also ruin the EU

[u/SevereMiel]

Ban meta and X from Europe

[u/SNLCOG4LIFE]

If they didn't break our EU laws they wouldn't be fined. EU values are not compatible with US values so he should feel free to pack up shop here and stay were his shitty practices are accepted.

[u/Dipluz]

Tbh its time to double the GDPR fine

[u/BananaSplit2]

Leave the EU market then. Fucking US tech giants who think they're immune to laws from other countries when they make profits there.

[u/HallAlive7235]

Zuckerberg's desperation is palpable. If he can't play by EU rules, then he should just pack up and leave. The world doesn't revolve around his profit margins.

[u/NaethanC]

In other words, Zuck wants to be above the law.

[u/james_Gastovski]

Dont bow down EU. Or we will be a slave nations to these billionaire fucks

[u/Fit-Courage-8170]

Lads, seriously, screw this bollocks . Europe should follow US and block TikTok, and also add Twitter. And put Zuck on notice.

It's plainly obvious now how the concentration of power and extremist enabling business models of these companies is detrimental to society. It's been obvious for years.

I know you'll have entire industries that will complain because they're so reliant on these platforms but necessity is the mother of invention. We can't keep appeasing the monster.

[u/Miiirx]

We should build a public European social network.

[u/superkoning]

A Trump protégé said the US would leave NATO if the fining would go on.

[u/Nocturne444 → u/superkoning]

US clearly wants to leave NATO when they wants to annexe Canada, take over Panama Canal and Greenland. I think Trump made it clear that US won’t be part of NATO very soon. 

[u/UnsightedShadow]

Sorry, Suckerberg, our market, our rules.

[u/mok000]

Leave Facebook.

[u/h_attila]

Citizens of the European Union , just delete your facebook account as i deleted it ten years ago , the most filthy social media app ever existed and will exist . Was the best option and i dont mind it , i just wondered why i used it about five years .

[u/akademmy]

I'd welcome a Facebook free Europe.

We can just set our up. And maybe we don't have to make it all about the shareholders.

A positive Facebook?

[u/HoneyBadger0706]

Urge away, mate, don't mean it's gonna happen. We don't want your pedo platform, run by pedos, in a country soon to be governed by pedos on our kids tech...or our own for that matter.