Max Bank
@maxbank.bsky.social
Anti-Monopoly · Democracy & Transparency · Lobbying in the EU · Big Tech · Trade Policy · NGO @rebalance-now.bsky.social previously at @LobbyControl.bsky.social
After the Commission rightly imposed a fine on Google today for non-compliance with the #DMA, US Trade Representative Greer now threatens the EU with retaliation. He said the fine poses a "real risk" to transatlantic trade. The EU should stay firm. No one has the right to challenge our tech rules.
The very long awaited decision by the @ec.europa.eu regarding #Google's Digital Markets Act compliance was released today. Here is my report for @techpolicypress.bsky.social which breaks it all down
The High Stakes Behind the EU’s €890M Google DMA Fine
Megan Kirkwood breaks down Google’s €890M Digital Markets Act fine, self-preferencing findings, Play Store rules and the next phase of enforcement.
techpolicy.press
The High Stakes Behind the EU’s €890M Google DMA Fine. Very good and comprehensive piece on today's Google DMA fine by @megankirkwood.bsky.social. www.techpolicy.press/the-high-sta...
The High Stakes Behind the EU’s €890M Google DMA Fine
Megan Kirkwood breaks down Google’s €890M Digital Markets Act fine, self-preferencing findings, Play Store rules and the next phase of enforcement.
techpolicy.press
Today's near one billion (in US-$ it is 1 billion) fine against Google is the right decision. It was more than overdue. Von der Leyen's previously halting the fine due to fear of US-pressure was a strategic mistake. It showed how vulnerable the EU is to blackmail by the US government and Big Tech.
Great open letter by Academics: The Irish Government should recuse itself from negotiating legislation that touches on digital policy & corporate tax during its Council presidency, given its “questionable track record” & cosy relationship with tech multinationals. www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Government should not chair EU debates on tech policy, academics say
Open letter criticises State’s ‘questionable track record’ on digital policy and corporate tax
irishtimes.com
Madou again. On a mission to advocate for bold enforcement of our competition and tech rules. #DMA #mergercontrol #antitrust
EU policymakers can't keep ignoring Nvidia's massive power on AI infrastructure.🚨 The EU won't achieve digital sovereignty if its AI systems are controlled by a single US big tech company. Full analysis: www.somo.nl/nvidias-inve...
Nvidia's Investment Boom - SOMO
Europe’s AI future in the hands of a US company Nvidia has become one of the biggest winners of the AI boom. Yet its influence extends far beyond the chips that power ChatGPT and other AI systems. Thr...
somo.nl
It was great to speak at #mehrfestival on how to break up Microsoft. Thanks for having me, Otto Brenner Foundation. Looking forward to more exchange on how to break the market power of Big Tech. #breakupbigtech #breakupmicrosoft #DMA
Für Max Bank @maxbank.bsky.social von Rebalance Now ist die Antwort klar: Die Macht großer Tech-Konzerne muss begrenzt werden, damit demokratische Kontrolle, Innovation und echte Alternativen überhaupt eine Chance haben.
Gotta love how the @EUCommission press conference video stream about the #DigitalSovereignty package is hosted by #AWS. Also: everyone who wants to access any EU law online needs to run #Amazon's #JavaScript on their device. 🤷
On my way to Brussels to discuss the draft merger guidelines in the European Parliament. Our mission: competition policy and merger control in the public interest and challenging of increasing corporate concentration. #DMA #mergercontrol #Competition
Von der Leyens approach to the Digital Market's Act (DMA) endangers Europe's sovereignty and democracy. Important piece by @maxvonthun.bsky.social in today's @tspbackground.bsky.social: background.tagesspiegel.de/digitalisier... #DMA #digitalsovereignty #breakopenbigtech
Digitalregulierung: Von der Leyens DMA-Kurs gefährdet Europas Souveränität
Die EU-Kommissionspräsidentin zeigt sich gegenüber US-Interessen allzu nachgiebig. Das ist ein Problem für den Standort Europa. Und hat auch mit der EU-Regulierungsstruktur zu tun.
background.tagesspiegel.de
Google is breaching the #DMA. A previously planned billion € fine has been halted by Commission President von der Leyen. We call on von der Leyen to fine Google promptly & to boldly enforce our digital rules against Big Tech - despite US pressure! Sign our petition: weact.campact.de/petitions/vo...
Von der Leyen: Nicht vor Google einknicken!
Skandal in Brüssel: Von der Leyen knickt offenbar vor Google ein und stoppt eine Milliardenstrafe. Das dürfen wir nicht hinnehmen! Unterzeichne jetzt unsere Petition für ein Europa, das seine Regeln e...
weact.campact.de
The draft merger guidelines are cause for concern and potentially lay the groundwork for even greater market concentration in Europe. rebalance-now.de/en/draft-mer... #mergercontrol #mergerguidelines #DMA #enforcement #BigTech #breakopenbigtech
Draft Merger Control Guidelines – A Cause for Concern - Rebalance Now
Following a lengthy consultation period, the European Commission published its draft guidelines for merger control last week. These guidelines will serve as the basis for reviewing major mergers in Eu...
rebalance-now.de
Von der Leyen has halted a previously planned multibillion-€ fine against Google at the last minute. In an open letter released today, more than 30 organisations are calling on the Commission President to impose the fine promptly & thus effectively enforce the DMA. rebalance-now.de/en/von-der-l...
Von der Leyen Halts Billions-Dollar Fine Against Google – Criticism from Parliament and Civil Society - Rebalance Now
Ursula von der Leyen has halted a previously planned multibillion-euro fine against Google at the last minute. In an open letter released today, more than 30 organizations are calling on the Commissio...
rebalance-now.de
According to information from Handelsblatt, the EU had planned to impose its first fine on Google under the #DMA. But now it is backing down—at a critical juncture. This would be a disaster for citizens, as enforcement of our rules is key to protect democracy. www.handelsblatt.com/politik/inte...
Tech-Konzern: Google umgeht vorerst Milliardenstrafe der EU
Die EU hatte nach Handelsblatt-Informationen die erste Strafe gegen Google unter dem Digital Markets Act geplant. Doch nun knickt sie ein – zu einem brisanten Zeitpunkt.
handelsblatt.com
Back to the Brussels bubble to advocate for bold competition policy enforcement. #mergerguidelines #breakupgoogle #googleadtech
The @EUCommission announced it is exploring a new EU-US “dialogue” on digital rules, as Washington piles on the pressure over how the EU enforces its tech laws. “If confirmed, this is nothing short of complete capitulation to the #Trump admin’s coercive tactics,” said #Greens MEP @SLagodinsky […]
Original post on eupolicy.social
eupolicy.social
Clear and important words by Commissioner @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu at the ABA Antitrust Spring Meeting in Washington: "Allowing political intrusion into competition enforcement could backfire with unknown consequences. This is about democracy, credibility and reliability." We count on this!
We welcome today’s tightening of german competition law as part of the fuel policy package. The critical reactions from business associations such as the Federation of the German Industry (BDI) are pure scaremongering.
Rebalance Now@rebalance-now.bsky.social · 4mo agoWir begrüßen die heutige Verschärfung des Kartellrechts als Teil des Kraftstoffmaßnahmenpakets. Es braucht ein umfassendes Vorgehen gegen steigende Marktkonzentration in der Wirtschaft. Die Reaktionen von Wirtschaftsverbänden wie dem BDI sind Panikmache & überzogen. rebalance-now.de/spritpreise-...
My conversation (long) with Oles Andriychuk on Tech, Competition, Privacy, Power is now live www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIkc...
Johnny Ryan: Big Tech, Privacy & Data Power | GDPR Enforcement Failure | Europe’s Real Bottleneck
YouTube video by Digital Markets Research Hub
youtube.com
Today, EU Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera meets Big Tech CEOs in Silicon Valley: Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai. Time to remind the tech oligarchs the EU will remain steadfast in enforcing competition rules, from the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to ongoing cases like Google/Adtech.
🚨 Rising gasoline prices are the result of significant market concentration in Germany, which allows oil companies to skim off substantial profits at the expense of consumers. Urgent action is needed to counteract the industry’s dominant position and its excessive profits. Our statement (german):
Rebalance Now@rebalance-now.bsky.social · 5mo agoDie steigenden Benzinpreise sind Folge erheblicher Marktkonzentration, die den Mineralölkonzernen eine umfassende Gewinnabschöpfung zulasten von Verbraucher*innen ermöglicht. Es ist Zeit, der Machtposition der Mineralölindustrie & deren Übergewinnen entgegenzuwirken. rebalance-now.de/spritpreise-...
Soon, the #DMA non-compliance investigation against Google will turn 2 years old. A decision is nowhere in sight. Together with 17 other associations, we've signed an open letter with a simple demand: enforce the DMA against Google's self-preferencing in search. rebalance-now.de/wp-content/u...
rebalance-now.de
US funding for global internet freedom ‘effectively gutted’ - Programme that funds groups building tech to evade oppressive government controls under serious threat. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
US funding for global internet freedom ‘effectively gutted’
Programme that funds groups building tech to evade oppressive government controls under serious threat
theguardian.com
Bonn Against Amazon: Our background piece on a remarkable initiative by the german Federal Cartel Office. rebalance-now.de/en/bonn-agai... #Amazon #Bundeskartellamt #19a #GWB #BigTech
Bonn Against Amazon: A remarkable initiative by the Federal Cartel Office - Rebalance Now
Amazon’s market power is huge. In e-commerce, the company accounts for 60 percent of online sales in Germany. The Federal Cartel Office is taking action against the abuse of that power. An important, ...
rebalance-now.de
The EU’s unconditional clearance of Google/Wiz is a mistake. Civil society statement by @balancedeconomy.bsky.social, @openmarkets.bsky.social, @somoamsterdam.bsky.social and @rebalance-now.bsky.social. rebalance-now.de/en/the-eus-c...
The EU’s clearance of Google/Wiz: the wrong decision - Rebalance Now
Civil society organisations across Europe seriously regret the European Commission’s decision to unconditionally clear Google’s proposed acquisition of Wiz. The decision runs counter to lessons drawn ...
rebalance-now.de
An important step by DG Competition for open competition in AI assistants & agents. Meta is doing what dominant firms do: closing off markets. If you want to use AI on WhatsApp, you must use Meta’s AI — or none at all. That’s not fair competition. The Commission’s action is thus very welcome.
Teresa Ribera@teresaribera.ec.europa.eu · 6mo ago📍Today, the EC informed Meta that blocking third-party AI assistants from WhatsApp may breach EU competition rules. ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
We're part of the Digital Merger Watch (DMW). Here's an update of the DMW Big Tech M&A tracker: ▶️Big Tech acquisitions increased by 30% in 2025 ▶️15 Big Tech acquisitions were AI-related ▶️ 2025 saw a rise in Big Tech’s talent acquisition & licensing deals. More here: rebalance-now.de/en/digital-m...
Digital Merger Watch: Current trends in big tech mergers - Rebalance Now
We are part of the Digital Merger Watch (DMW) project. In this project, we track Big Tech's mergers and acquisitions. Our latest update.
rebalance-now.de
