Deep Dive: The big deal with regulating Big Tech

In recent years, Big Tech has drawn the ire of regulators across the globe. And given the current state of the world, some governments have been raising taxes on tech giants to bolster their own economies.

Photo credit: 123RF

But as several countries in Southeast Asia begin imposing stricter regulations, will smaller tech players get caught up in the attempt to keep the titans in check?

On this episode of Deep Dive, Tech in Asia industry analyst Simon Huang explains why regulators in the region are tightening the screws, what critics and advocates are saying about the changes, and whether smaller startups have cause to worry.

Timecodes:

00:00 – Intro music
00:48 – Today’s topic: The tightening regulations around Big Tech in Southeast Asia
00:56 – United States v. Microsoft Corporation in 2001
02:02 – 20 years later, Big Tech’s in trouble again
03:14 – Why governments are increasing taxes on Big Tech
04:17 – Big Tech becoming the center of inter-country disputes
04:58 – Is Big Tech really that powerful?
06:47 – Southeast Asia is also regulating Big Tech – it’s just lagging behind
08:40 – The state of Big Tech regulation in Southeast Asia
10:24 – Southeast Asia: Big Tech haven
11:50 – What incidents led Southeast Asian regulators to tighten the screws?
15:46 – Regulations are becoming more strongly enforced
16:16 – New laws are being implemented
17:37 – Is Big Tech affected by these changing regulations?
21:38 – The impact on smaller players in the tech scene
23:11 – What critics are saying about Big Tech regulation
25:45 – What advocates are saying about Big Tech regulation
27:46 – Will Southeast Asia’s tech scene feel the effects of increasing regulation?
29:30 – The long-term impact of more regulation
31:11 – The rise of national champions in the Big Tech scene

Download the full transcript here.

Featured reporter:

• Simon Huang, a Tech in Asia industry analyst based in Singapore

Essential reading:

• How Southeast Asian states are tightening the screws on tech giants

Episode Sponsor:

Sign up for Tech in Asia Live to get unlimited digital access to live classes, events, pitch nights, and our signature Tech in Asia Conference by becoming a Tech in Asia Core subscriber.