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
US tech giants are doing everything they can to weaken the enforcement of key European rules — from competition law to the DMA &the DSA. They’re doing so with the backing of the US government. The Commission needs to stand up against this and enforce its rules. In particular its competition rules.
US-Techkonzerne setzen alles daran, die Durchsetzung europäischer Regeln inkl des Wettbewerbsrecht zu untergraben. Die EU darf sich davon nicht einschüchtern lassen. Im Gegenteil. Die Europäische Kommission muss jetzt entschlossen handeln und Weichen stellen. rebalance-now.de/europas-chan...
Europas Chance: Entschlossen gegen Marktmacht der Techkonzerne - Rebalance Now
US-Techkonzerne setzen alles daran, die Durchsetzung europäischer Gesetze zu untergraben. Die EU darf sich davon nicht einschüchtern lassen. Im Gegenteil. Die Europäische Kommission muss jetzt entschl...
rebalance-now.de
October 31, 2025 at 9:56 AM
US tech giants are doing everything they can to weaken the enforcement of key European rules — from competition law to the DMA &the DSA. They’re doing so with the backing of the US government. The Commission needs to stand up against this and enforce its rules. In particular its competition rules.
Reposted by Max Bank
Tech firms are spending more than ever on lobbying the European Union amid mounting opposition to the bloc’s digital rules, according to new analysis.
Big Tech ups lobbying firepower, €€ in Brussels
American tech companies have piled into EU capital with bigger budgets and beefed-up teams.
www.politico.eu
October 29, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Tech firms are spending more than ever on lobbying the European Union amid mounting opposition to the bloc’s digital rules, according to new analysis.
Reposted by Max Bank
New @lobbycontrol.bsky.social @corporateeurope.org data highlights tech lobbyists' tightening grip on EU policymaking:
📈 Total lobbying spend up by a third in 2 years
💼 There are now more tech lobbyists than MEPs
🗣️ Big Tech meets EU officials every single day
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/10/b...
📈 Total lobbying spend up by a third in 2 years
💼 There are now more tech lobbyists than MEPs
🗣️ Big Tech meets EU officials every single day
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/10/b...
Big Tech lobby budgets hit record levels | Corporate Europe Observatory
New figures show that the digital industry as a whole is now spending €151 million a year on lobbying the EU, a major increase to what was already considerable firepower.
corporateeurope.org
October 29, 2025 at 9:14 AM
New @lobbycontrol.bsky.social @corporateeurope.org data highlights tech lobbyists' tightening grip on EU policymaking:
📈 Total lobbying spend up by a third in 2 years
💼 There are now more tech lobbyists than MEPs
🗣️ Big Tech meets EU officials every single day
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/10/b...
📈 Total lobbying spend up by a third in 2 years
💼 There are now more tech lobbyists than MEPs
🗣️ Big Tech meets EU officials every single day
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/10/b...
Big Tech lobby budgets hit record levels: market power and lobby power go hand in hand, as tech monopolies defend their business models.
📢 As the EU's deregulation agenda rolls out the red carpet for corporate interests, our new study shows that the tech industry has ramped up its lobby power:
💰 Lobby spending hits a record €151 million
🕴 Almost 900 tech lobbyists
🤝 Big Tech has lobby 3 meetings a day
@lobbycontrol.bsky.social
💰 Lobby spending hits a record €151 million
🕴 Almost 900 tech lobbyists
🤝 Big Tech has lobby 3 meetings a day
@lobbycontrol.bsky.social
Big Tech lobby budgets hit record levels | Corporate Europe Observatory
New figures show that the digital industry as a whole is now spending €151 million a year on lobbying the EU, a major increase to what was already considerable firepower.
corporateeurope.org
October 29, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Big Tech lobby budgets hit record levels: market power and lobby power go hand in hand, as tech monopolies defend their business models.
Excessive prices, profits & market valuations should become the focus of European abuse control. My colleague Aline Blankertz - together with others - explains what has been the problem so far and how financial analysis methods can help enforce effective abuse control in EU competition policy.
Die Europäische Kommission kann und muss gegen überhöhte Preise vorgehen. Dazu muss sie ihre Methoden bei der Missbrauchskontrolle anpassen und upgraden. Mehr dazu hier: rebalance-now.de/die-europaei...
Die Europäische Kommission kann und muss gegen überhöhte Preise vorgehen - Rebalance Now
Die europäische Kontrolle von Marktmachtmissbrauch sieht vor, Ausbeutungsmissbrauch durch Unternehmen zu untersagen. Ausbeutungsmissbrauch liegt zum Beispiel dann vor, wenn Unternehmen überhöhte Preis...
rebalance-now.de
October 28, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Excessive prices, profits & market valuations should become the focus of European abuse control. My colleague Aline Blankertz - together with others - explains what has been the problem so far and how financial analysis methods can help enforce effective abuse control in EU competition policy.
The disruption at cloud provider Amazon yesterday paralysed numerous online services. It highlights the problematic dependence on the globally dominant cloud provider. We must finally reduce dependencies, systematically curb market power and create opportunities for alternatives.
Die Störung beim Cloudanbieter Amazon hat gestern zahlreiche Onlinedienste lahmgelegt. Sie zeigt die problematische Abhängigkeit vom weltweit dominanten Cloudanbieter. Wir müssen endlich Abhängigkeiten reduzieren, Marktmacht systematisch zurückdrängen und Möglichkeiten für Alternativen schaffen.
October 21, 2025 at 7:54 AM
The disruption at cloud provider Amazon yesterday paralysed numerous online services. It highlights the problematic dependence on the globally dominant cloud provider. We must finally reduce dependencies, systematically curb market power and create opportunities for alternatives.
Reposted by Max Bank
We're live at the European Parliament with @mariaressa.bsky.social!
With introduction remarks by @alexandrageese.bsky.social MEP, Greens/EFA, and @courtneyr.bsky.social director of @cjl4news.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZTw...
With introduction remarks by @alexandrageese.bsky.social MEP, Greens/EFA, and @courtneyr.bsky.social director of @cjl4news.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZTw...
The Future of Democracy - Day 2 at European Parliament
YouTube video by Open Markets Institute
www.youtube.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:20 PM
We're live at the European Parliament with @mariaressa.bsky.social!
With introduction remarks by @alexandrageese.bsky.social MEP, Greens/EFA, and @courtneyr.bsky.social director of @cjl4news.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZTw...
With introduction remarks by @alexandrageese.bsky.social MEP, Greens/EFA, and @courtneyr.bsky.social director of @cjl4news.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZTw...
On my way to Brussels for the Future of Democracy conference hosted by @openmarkets.bsky.social and @article19europe.bsky.social. This is an important and timely event. www.openmarketsinstitute.org/publications...
The Future of Democracy: Speech, Thought, Sovereignty, and Power in the Age of Platforms and AI — Open Markets Institute
Join The Open Markets Institute and ARTICLE 19 on October 15th & 16th for a convening of high-level leading thinkers, lawmakers, technologists, and advocates to discuss the direct and growi...
www.openmarketsinstitute.org
October 15, 2025 at 5:18 AM
On my way to Brussels for the Future of Democracy conference hosted by @openmarkets.bsky.social and @article19europe.bsky.social. This is an important and timely event. www.openmarketsinstitute.org/publications...
Member states are increasing pressure to weaken EU's rules including the EU's chemical regulation #REACH, according to Politico. EU member states, in particular Germany, are key driver's of the EU's deregulation agenda. www.politico.eu/article/eu-l...
EU leaders to double down on deregulation drive
Leaked document reveals top priorities for this month’s European Council summit.
www.politico.eu
October 15, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Member states are increasing pressure to weaken EU's rules including the EU's chemical regulation #REACH, according to Politico. EU member states, in particular Germany, are key driver's of the EU's deregulation agenda. www.politico.eu/article/eu-l...
Reposted by Max Bank
⚠️For years, the Big Tech front group Allied for Startups has been underreporting its lobby budget.
👏 Following a complaint by CEO and @lobbycontrol.bsky.social, Allied for Startups has now been forced by the EU Transparency Register to correct its registration.
👉 corporateeurope.org/en/media/6430
👏 Following a complaint by CEO and @lobbycontrol.bsky.social, Allied for Startups has now been forced by the EU Transparency Register to correct its registration.
👉 corporateeurope.org/en/media/6430
Allied For Startups asbl datacard on lobbyfacts.eu
Check out all LobbyFacts data on Allied For Startups asbl as extracted from the EU lobby transparancy register. Allied For Startups is the policy voice of startups in the EU and worldwide.
The organ...
www.lobbyfacts.eu
October 10, 2025 at 11:11 AM
⚠️For years, the Big Tech front group Allied for Startups has been underreporting its lobby budget.
👏 Following a complaint by CEO and @lobbycontrol.bsky.social, Allied for Startups has now been forced by the EU Transparency Register to correct its registration.
👉 corporateeurope.org/en/media/6430
👏 Following a complaint by CEO and @lobbycontrol.bsky.social, Allied for Startups has now been forced by the EU Transparency Register to correct its registration.
👉 corporateeurope.org/en/media/6430
Reposted by Max Bank
Hear! Hear!! Hear!!! “The EU anti-coercion instrument, or ‘trade bazooka’, is designed to shield against foreign pressure. It should have big tech in its crosshairs to protect European sovereignty.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The EU has a secret weapon to counter Trump’s economic bullying. It’s time to use it | Johnny Ryan
The anti-coercion instrument, or ‘trade bazooka’, is designed to shield against foreign pressure, says civil liberties campaigner Johnny Ryan
www.theguardian.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Hear! Hear!! Hear!!! “The EU anti-coercion instrument, or ‘trade bazooka’, is designed to shield against foreign pressure. It should have big tech in its crosshairs to protect European sovereignty.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Shocking: In Berlin, SPD accepts social cuts in coalition with CDU, in Brussels S&D agrees to weaken corporate sustainability rules. Conservatives blackmail S&D with threat do vote with the far right. How about saving democracy by challenging corporate monopoly power & tackling inequality instead?
October 9, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Shocking: In Berlin, SPD accepts social cuts in coalition with CDU, in Brussels S&D agrees to weaken corporate sustainability rules. Conservatives blackmail S&D with threat do vote with the far right. How about saving democracy by challenging corporate monopoly power & tackling inequality instead?
Reposted by Max Bank
"Wenn Schutzregeln fallen: Brüssel auf dem Weg in die Entfesselung." Gastbeitrag unserer Campaigner*innen Nina Katzemich, @flxdffy.bsky.social & @maxbank.bsky.social zum Angriff der Konzernlobby auf EU-Gesetze im Infobrief der Arbeiterkammer Wien. wien.arbeiterkammer.at/interessenve...
Deregulierungswelle: Wenn Schutzregeln fallen
Eine drastische Deregulierungswelle droht europäische Schutzstandards abzuschwächen. Die Kommissionspräsidentin beugt sich dem Druck der Industrie.
wien.arbeiterkammer.at
October 1, 2025 at 7:26 AM
"Wenn Schutzregeln fallen: Brüssel auf dem Weg in die Entfesselung." Gastbeitrag unserer Campaigner*innen Nina Katzemich, @flxdffy.bsky.social & @maxbank.bsky.social zum Angriff der Konzernlobby auf EU-Gesetze im Infobrief der Arbeiterkammer Wien. wien.arbeiterkammer.at/interessenve...
"Together, political predators & digital conquistadors have decided to wipe out the old elites & their rules. If they succeed, it will not only be the parties of lawyers and technocrats that will be swept away, but also liberal democracy as we have known it until today." on.ft.com/4nVwSII
How tech lords and populists changed the rules of power
Digital moguls and strongman leaders are more than disrupters of the old liberal order. Together they seek to sweep it away, writes Giuliano da Empoli
on.ft.com
September 29, 2025 at 7:16 AM
"Together, political predators & digital conquistadors have decided to wipe out the old elites & their rules. If they succeed, it will not only be the parties of lawyers and technocrats that will be swept away, but also liberal democracy as we have known it until today." on.ft.com/4nVwSII
Reposted by Max Bank
The US Department of Justice and Google will face off today in federal court to argue about what remedies the court should impose to unwind Google’s monopoly in the ad tech market. Karina Montoya from the Center for Journalism & Liberty at the Open Markets Institute breaks down what’s at stake:
DOJ vs Google: Back to Court for Remedies to Break Digital Ads Monopoly | TechPolicy.Press
Without both behavioral and structural remedies, nothing will be achieved to prevent future illegal conduct, writes Karina Montoya.
www.techpolicy.press
September 22, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The US Department of Justice and Google will face off today in federal court to argue about what remedies the court should impose to unwind Google’s monopoly in the ad tech market. Karina Montoya from the Center for Journalism & Liberty at the Open Markets Institute breaks down what’s at stake:
Reposted by Max Bank
With our protests yesterday in Brussels, we call on the Commission to force Google to sell parts of its advertising technology business. It is time to break up the Google monopoly.
www.euractiv.com/news/protest...
@peoplevsbigtech.bsky.social @wemoveeurope.bsky.social @rebalance-now.bsky.social
www.euractiv.com/news/protest...
@peoplevsbigtech.bsky.social @wemoveeurope.bsky.social @rebalance-now.bsky.social
Protesters outside Berlaymont urge EU to break up Google | Euractiv
NGOs call on the Commission to force Google to sell parts of its advertising technology business after it was fined €2.95 billion for violating EU competition rules
www.euractiv.com
September 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
With our protests yesterday in Brussels, we call on the Commission to force Google to sell parts of its advertising technology business. It is time to break up the Google monopoly.
www.euractiv.com/news/protest...
@peoplevsbigtech.bsky.social @wemoveeurope.bsky.social @rebalance-now.bsky.social
www.euractiv.com/news/protest...
@peoplevsbigtech.bsky.social @wemoveeurope.bsky.social @rebalance-now.bsky.social
Reposted by Max Bank
Yesterday, we went to the EU-Commission’s headquarter in Brussels to protest for a Google break-up. Commissioner Ribera did the right thing with her adtech-decision. Now, she has to stay firm & resist pressure from inside the Commission & from the other side of the Atlantic. Time to break up Google!
September 23, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Yesterday, we went to the EU-Commission’s headquarter in Brussels to protest for a Google break-up. Commissioner Ribera did the right thing with her adtech-decision. Now, she has to stay firm & resist pressure from inside the Commission & from the other side of the Atlantic. Time to break up Google!
Reposted by Max Bank
👏👏 @lobbycontrol.bsky.social for today's action calling for Break Up of Big Tech, starting with Google at the EU's Headquarters.
September 22, 2025 at 10:43 AM
👏👏 @lobbycontrol.bsky.social for today's action calling for Break Up of Big Tech, starting with Google at the EU's Headquarters.
Reposted by Max Bank
👀Is that EU competition chief @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu taking a hammer to break up Google??
Today we're sending a loud message to @ec.europa.eu to dismantle Google's toxic advertising monopoly! #BreakUpBigTech. Great work @lobbyctrl-tech.bsky.social bsky.social @rebalance-now.bsky.social 👏👏👏
Today we're sending a loud message to @ec.europa.eu to dismantle Google's toxic advertising monopoly! #BreakUpBigTech. Great work @lobbyctrl-tech.bsky.social bsky.social @rebalance-now.bsky.social 👏👏👏
September 22, 2025 at 12:34 PM
👀Is that EU competition chief @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu taking a hammer to break up Google??
Today we're sending a loud message to @ec.europa.eu to dismantle Google's toxic advertising monopoly! #BreakUpBigTech. Great work @lobbyctrl-tech.bsky.social bsky.social @rebalance-now.bsky.social 👏👏👏
Today we're sending a loud message to @ec.europa.eu to dismantle Google's toxic advertising monopoly! #BreakUpBigTech. Great work @lobbyctrl-tech.bsky.social bsky.social @rebalance-now.bsky.social 👏👏👏
Reposted by Max Bank
The EU has slapped Google with a record fine of €2.95 billion. For abusing its monopoly power in the online advertising market. Rightly so – but that's not enough.👇1/
September 8, 2025 at 2:34 PM
The EU has slapped Google with a record fine of €2.95 billion. For abusing its monopoly power in the online advertising market. Rightly so – but that's not enough.👇1/
Reposted by Max Bank
Good news: Teresa Ribera, the EU Commission’s executive vice-president, defends the enforcement of EU tech rules and calls on the bloc to be “courageous” in response to threats from the US president and “to avoid the temptation of being subordinated to others’ interests”. www.ft.com/content/010c...
Stand up to Trump on Big Tech, says EU antitrust chief
Bloc must be prepared to walk away from trade deal with US if it retaliates against Brussels’ digital laws, warns Teresa Ribera
www.ft.com
August 29, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Good news: Teresa Ribera, the EU Commission’s executive vice-president, defends the enforcement of EU tech rules and calls on the bloc to be “courageous” in response to threats from the US president and “to avoid the temptation of being subordinated to others’ interests”. www.ft.com/content/010c...
Reposted by Max Bank
IYMI
Looking for views on #AI & 🇪🇺 #dma
How can we help development of AI by everyone and not just #gatekeepers?
Looking for views on #AI & 🇪🇺 #dma
How can we help development of AI by everyone and not just #gatekeepers?
Commission gathers views on how the DMA can support fair and contestable digital markets and AI sector
The European Commission is seeking feedback on how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) can support fair and contestable digital markets, including the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector.
digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu
August 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM
IYMI
Looking for views on #AI & 🇪🇺 #dma
How can we help development of AI by everyone and not just #gatekeepers?
Looking for views on #AI & 🇪🇺 #dma
How can we help development of AI by everyone and not just #gatekeepers?
After Trump's bold attack on our digital regulations DMA and DSA, the EU should use its anti-coercion to defend itself. If the US president challenges our democratic rules, he needs a clear response.
August 26, 2025 at 3:52 PM
After Trump's bold attack on our digital regulations DMA and DSA, the EU should use its anti-coercion to defend itself. If the US president challenges our democratic rules, he needs a clear response.
Reposted by Max Bank
The EU must use the anti coercion instrument now, or be humiliated. Europe must be free to enforce its own law on its own soil.
August 26, 2025 at 5:53 AM
The EU must use the anti coercion instrument now, or be humiliated. Europe must be free to enforce its own law on its own soil.
Reposted by Max Bank
Great news: Amazon must reveal its research funding to think tanks and academics: www.hbsslaw.com/press/amazon...
Amazon Ordered to Reveal Academic Research Ties in Major Price-Fixing Case
SEATTLE – A federal judge has ordered Amazon.com to reveal its relationships with academic researchers in a landmark antitrust class-action lawsuit. The world’s largest online retailer is facing claim...
www.hbsslaw.com
August 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Great news: Amazon must reveal its research funding to think tanks and academics: www.hbsslaw.com/press/amazon...