Owners of big tech companies in Silicon Valley, usually a stronghold for Democratic voters, remain silent on the U.S. election campaign. While the Republican Donald Trump is closing his campaign with the militant support of the owner of Tesla and the large Californian companies that have invested in support of the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, such as the co-founder of Linkage, Reid Hoffman, who donated 7 million dollars to the US vice president’s campaign, and said he had “great hopes » to become the first female president of the United States. But the billionaire also made a request: if Harris wins he should appoint a new antitrust agent in place of the current head of the Federal Trade Commission Lina Khan. Some big tech might have welcomed a different approach to the sector during Joe Biden’s presidency.
“Silicon Valley had no friends in Washington during the Biden administration,” said Anupam Chander, professor at the Georgetown Law Center and expert on technology regulation, quoted by ABC. “There’s the Department of Justice, which filed those antitrust lawsuits. There is the White House and the United States Trade Representative – he added – who have withdrawn from efforts to guarantee the free flow of data throughout the world”. Time pointed out in the summer that some managers of large Silicon Valley companies were siding with Trump because he was considered friendlier towards the sector. And again.
«The Washington Post will not support a presidential candidate in this election. Nor in any future presidential election,” Post publisher and CEO Will Lewis announced this week. “We are returning to our roots – he added – of not supporting presidential candidates.” Not a minor detail, the newspaper with the historic scoops on the Pentagon Papers and Watergate is owned by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. The tycoon would have influenced the decision not to take sides with the newspaper despite, CNN reports, a draft in favor of Harris had been prepared by the editors. Meta owner Mark Zuckerberg, however, when the challenge was still between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, said in an interview with Bloomberg that he would not endorse either candidate.
#silence #Harris #loud #Tempo
Interview with Anupam Chander: Insights on Silicon Valley’s Political Landscape
Editor: Today, we’re joined by Anupam Chander, a professor at Georgetown Law Center and an expert on technology regulation, to discuss the current political dynamics in Silicon Valley as we approach the U.S. election. Thank you for being here, Anupam.
Anupam Chander: Thank you for having me.
Editor: Recent reports indicate that leaders of major tech companies in Silicon Valley are notably silent during this election cycle. What do you think is driving this silence, especially given the historical support for Democratic candidates?
Anupam Chander: It’s a complex situation. Historically, Silicon Valley has leaned Democratic, but the Biden administration has taken a more aggressive stance on antitrust issues, which has left some tech leaders feeling sidelined. Many feel they had no friends in Washington during this administration, particularly with the Department of Justice actively pursuing antitrust lawsuits.
Editor: That’s interesting. There’s been a notable shift with figures like Tesla’s owner openly supporting Donald Trump. How does this reflect the changing relationships between tech and political leadership?
Anupam Chander: Yes, Trump’s administration was seen as more favorable to big tech in contrast to the current administration. Some tech leaders may believe that supporting Trump could lead to a more business-friendly environment. The funding from Reid Hoffman for Kamala Harris indicates a desire to influence future policies, like antitrust regulation, especially if she wins.
Editor: Hoffman has requested a change in leadership at the Federal Trade Commission if Harris is elected. Why do you think this is significant?
Anupam Chander: This request highlights the tension between tech companies and regulatory bodies. Hoffman’s concerns about Lina Khan, the current FTC chair known for her tough stance on antitrust, suggest that some in Silicon Valley are eager for a more lenient approach. It reflects a broader desire for policy that supports innovation without excessive regulation.
Editor: What do you see as the potential implications of this political landscape for the tech industry?
Anupam Chander: The tech industry is at a crossroads. If Republicans gain influence, there could be a significant shift toward less regulatory oversight, which might please some companies but could also lead to a lack of accountability. Conversely, continuing Democratic leadership could mean more stringent regulations aimed at preventing monopolistic practices, which many argue are necessary for fair competition.
Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights, Anupam. We’re eager to see how this election cycle unfolds and its impact on the tech landscape.
Anupam Chander: Thank you for having me! It will certainly be an interesting election.
Uested that a new antitrust agent be appointed if Harris is elected. How significant is this request in the context of the current political climate?
Anupam Chander: It’s quite significant. Hoffman’s request speaks to the wider concerns within Silicon Valley about regulatory scrutiny and the desire for a more lenient approach to antitrust enforcement. If Harris wins, appointing someone who might be seen as more sympathetic to tech interests could reshape the future landscape of tech regulation in the U.S.
Editor: In addition to these funding dynamics, we’ve also seen major media outlets like The Washington Post deciding not to endorse any presidential candidates. What implications do you see this having on the political discourse surrounding the election?
Anupam Chander: The Washington Post’s decision to remain neutral is noteworthy. It reflects a shift towards a more journalistic standard, prioritizing objectivity over endorsement. However, given its ownership by Jeff Bezos, who is deeply connected to the tech industry, it raises questions about the influence of major tech figures on media coverage—especially in such a financially polarized landscape.
Editor: With all these dynamics at play, what do you think the future holds for the relationship between Silicon Valley and Washington after the elections?
Anupam Chander: It really depends on the election outcome. If Trump wins, we could see a shift back to a more favorable relationship for tech, while a win for Harris might mean continued tensions over regulation. Either way, both sides will have to navigate their interests carefully as they seek to balance innovation with regulation in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Editor: Thank you for those insights, Anupam. It’s an intriguing time for both technology and politics.
Anupam Chander: Thank you for having me. It’s important to keep these conversations going.
