Who should police the Internet? The Big Tech platforms, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, etc.? Is this a role for government? Our right to free expression on the internet has been challenged by both the tech platforms themselves and by governments …
We Should not Put too much Emphasis on Technology
Technology has had a huge impact on public education. Classrooms of today look quite different from those of a generation ago. It shows just how quickly technology changes and the extent to which it dominates our children’s lives. However, while …
Former Premier Peckford vs Pandemic Narrative: Big Tech / Media to Blame (Part 3 of 3)
Brian Peckford, Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier from 1979 to 1989, believes a false consensus on coronavirus has been manufactured by selective coverage and censorship courtesy of Big Tech and mainstream media. “Big Tech are Facebook and Twitter who have had …
Big Tech Influence Can Tip Elections
Behavioural psychologist Robert Epstein believes Google can and does influence voters and that research teams in Canada and elsewhere need to monitor how users are being swayed. Epstein, the former editor-in-chief of Psychology Today and founder of the American Institute …
Technology Giants: Prince John or Robin Hood?
The technology landscape consists of giant powerhouses like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook and AOL (to name a few) and a veritable plethora of smaller companies ranging in size from one-person start-ups to mid-sized corporations. The one thing that all of …
Avoiding the Big Tech Convergence
Walking through a Manhattan subway station recently, I saw sign after sign advertising Google’s latest features on its “Pay” app. Huge walls of advertisements displayed photographs of happy users seeing how their monthly spending broke down, seemingly reaping the benefits …
The Sweet Spot for Incubating Alberta’s Tech
Technology companies have emerged as clear winners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jurisdictions like Alberta without a traditional tech imprint have funnelled funds to facilitate startups, which is a good diversification strategy, but they should be careful not to veer into …
Antitrust Suits Aren’t Enough, but App Neutrality can Break up Big Tech
For a long time, the discussion about Big Tech has focused on whether a private good can be transformed into a public good, and whether social media platforms constitute an online public square. It’s an important principle and a discussion …
The FinTech Road to Economic Recovery: SMEs, Unbanked Need Swift, Low-Cost Access to Support
The Liberal Party government has blocked FinTech companies from distributing aid to businesses affected by the pandemic. In the age of cryptocurrencies and Robinhood, Ottawa clings to banks and relics such as cheques by mail. PayPal, Wave, and the Canadian …