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
According to MLex, Google's acquisition of Wiz may gain approval by the European Commission soon. This would be the largest acquisition in Google’s history and another step toward strengthening Google’s market power. Here is why this merger should not be cleared: rebalance-now.de/en/our-submi...
Our submission on the Risks of Google’s Acquisition of Wiz - Rebalance Now
Google intends to acquire the cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion. This would be the largest acquisition in Google’s history and another step toward strengthening Google’s market power. Together wi...
rebalance-now.de
January 29, 2026 at 10:19 AM
According to MLex, Google's acquisition of Wiz may gain approval by the European Commission soon. This would be the largest acquisition in Google’s history and another step toward strengthening Google’s market power. Here is why this merger should not be cleared: rebalance-now.de/en/our-submi...
DG Competition is currently revising its merger guidelines. We are advocating for a strengthening of the guidelines in order to prevent further anti-competitive mergers and the resulting harms to our societies. See more on our work on the guidelines here: rebalance-now.de/en/merger-co...
Merger Control: Revisions to the EU Guidelines - Rebalance Now
The European Commission’s competition authority, DG Competition, is currently revising its merger guidelines. We are closely monitoring this process and are advocating for a strengthening of the guide...
rebalance-now.de
January 28, 2026 at 3:45 PM
DG Competition is currently revising its merger guidelines. We are advocating for a strengthening of the guidelines in order to prevent further anti-competitive mergers and the resulting harms to our societies. See more on our work on the guidelines here: rebalance-now.de/en/merger-co...
The Google/Wiz merger needs further scrutiny and should not be cleared. Our joint submission to the EU's competition authority with @openmarkets.bsky.social, @balancedeconomy.bsky.social, @somoamsterdam.bsky.social & @article19europe.bsky.social: rebalance-now.de/en/our-submi...
Our submission on the Risks of Google’s Acquisition of Wiz - Rebalance Now
Google intends to acquire the cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion. This would be the largest acquisition in Google’s history and another step toward strengthening Google’s market power. Together wi...
rebalance-now.de
January 27, 2026 at 1:33 PM
The Google/Wiz merger needs further scrutiny and should not be cleared. Our joint submission to the EU's competition authority with @openmarkets.bsky.social, @balancedeconomy.bsky.social, @somoamsterdam.bsky.social & @article19europe.bsky.social: rebalance-now.de/en/our-submi...
Reposted by Max Bank
Real-time bidding, which powers nearly every ad you see online, might be the most privacy-invasive surveillance system that you’ve never heard of. Learn how it works and how to protect yourself. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Online Behavioral Ads Fuel the Surveillance Industry—Here’s How
Each time you see a targeted ad, your personal information is exposed to thousands of advertisers and data brokers through a process called “real-time bidding” (RTB). This process does more than
www.eff.org
December 28, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Real-time bidding, which powers nearly every ad you see online, might be the most privacy-invasive surveillance system that you’ve never heard of. Learn how it works and how to protect yourself. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Reposted by Max Bank
Die Stellungnahme der EU-Kommission zu den Trumps Anti-DSA-Sanktionen lenkt vom zentralen Punkt ab: Seit Monaten setzt die EU-Kommission das EU-Digitalrecht nur mutlos um. Die Strafhöhen sind zu niedrig, die Verfahren zu langsam, Sanktionen ja werden nicht verhängt. Das muss sich jetzt ändern!
December 25, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Die Stellungnahme der EU-Kommission zu den Trumps Anti-DSA-Sanktionen lenkt vom zentralen Punkt ab: Seit Monaten setzt die EU-Kommission das EU-Digitalrecht nur mutlos um. Die Strafhöhen sind zu niedrig, die Verfahren zu langsam, Sanktionen ja werden nicht verhängt. Das muss sich jetzt ändern!
Reposted by Max Bank
My message to Ursula von der Leyen in The Guardian this morning:
America’s bet on AI is now so gigantic that every MAGA voter’s pension is bound to the bubble’s precarious survival. If she grabs Trump where it hurts, Europe will win this fight.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
America’s bet on AI is now so gigantic that every MAGA voter’s pension is bound to the bubble’s precarious survival. If she grabs Trump where it hurts, Europe will win this fight.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This is Europe's secret weapon against Trump: it could burst his AI bubble | Johnny Ryan
Growth in the US economy – and the president’s political survival – rest on AI. The EU must use its leverage and stand up to him, says the Irish Council for Civil Liberties’ Johnny Ryan
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:42 AM
My message to Ursula von der Leyen in The Guardian this morning:
America’s bet on AI is now so gigantic that every MAGA voter’s pension is bound to the bubble’s precarious survival. If she grabs Trump where it hurts, Europe will win this fight.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
America’s bet on AI is now so gigantic that every MAGA voter’s pension is bound to the bubble’s precarious survival. If she grabs Trump where it hurts, Europe will win this fight.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Max Bank
Japan App Store Gets Alternative Marketplaces, Third-Party Payments and More www.macrumors.com/2025/12/17/j...
Japan App Store Gets Alternative Marketplaces, Third-Party Payments and More
Apple today introduced several changes to the App Store in Japan to meet the requirements of the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA) that goes into effect on December 18. The MSCA is similar to Eur...
www.macrumors.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Japan App Store Gets Alternative Marketplaces, Third-Party Payments and More www.macrumors.com/2025/12/17/j...
Why the EU’s Google AdTech Case Is a Test of Democratic Resolve. Opinion piece by @maxvonthun.bsky.social and me in the @euobserver.com. euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
Hold or fold? The Google adtech case will test Europe’s resolve
Donald Trump's new national security strategy casts overseas regulation as an attack on US interests and identifies preserving Big Tech dominance as a national security priority. It leaves no doubt ab...
euobserver.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Why the EU’s Google AdTech Case Is a Test of Democratic Resolve. Opinion piece by @maxvonthun.bsky.social and me in the @euobserver.com. euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
The recent raid on Temu’s European headquarters in Dublin under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation is a significant moment for fair competition and democratic market governance in Europe. It shows the European Commission's willingness to act & to enforce its rules.
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Temu's Dublin office raided by EU regulators on Chinese subsidy concerns
Temu's European headquarters in Dublin were raided by EU regulators last week on concerns about potential Chinese state subsidies granted to the online retailer, a subsidiary of China's ecommerce gian...
www.reuters.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The recent raid on Temu’s European headquarters in Dublin under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation is a significant moment for fair competition and democratic market governance in Europe. It shows the European Commission's willingness to act & to enforce its rules.
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Reposted by Max Bank
Alongside over 70 press freedom groups, NGOs, businesses, experts and think tanks, we are urging @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu and @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu to reject the remedies offered by #Google in the #adtech antitrust case. rebalance-now.de/en/open-lett...
Open letter on Google adtech case to von der Leyen and Ribera - Rebalance Now
Over 70 NGOs, businesses, experts, and think tanks have called on the European Commission to rejects Google’s offered remedies in the adtech antitrust case.
rebalance-now.de
December 10, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Alongside over 70 press freedom groups, NGOs, businesses, experts and think tanks, we are urging @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu and @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu to reject the remedies offered by #Google in the #adtech antitrust case. rebalance-now.de/en/open-lett...
Word! We count on you, @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu!
The European digital rule-book is not up for negotiation.
We, Europeans, have adopted our rules to ensure fair markets and to protect consumers rights while backing Europe’s digital future.
It’s our duty to preserve our values and to defend our people. 🇪🇺
We, Europeans, have adopted our rules to ensure fair markets and to protect consumers rights while backing Europe’s digital future.
It’s our duty to preserve our values and to defend our people. 🇪🇺
November 24, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Word! We count on you, @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu!
The EU’s merger guidelines are currently under revision. We have already contributed to the public consultation. On 19 November 2025, we initiated a cross-party exchange in the European Parliament on the ongoing revision. Here is a short recap on what happened.
rebalance-now.de/en/expert-ev...
rebalance-now.de/en/expert-ev...
Expert event in Brussels: Tightening the EU’s Merger Guidelines - Rebalance Now
The EU is revising its merger guidelines. In the European Parliament, we argue for stronger rules to curb rising market concentration.
rebalance-now.de
November 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The EU’s merger guidelines are currently under revision. We have already contributed to the public consultation. On 19 November 2025, we initiated a cross-party exchange in the European Parliament on the ongoing revision. Here is a short recap on what happened.
rebalance-now.de/en/expert-ev...
rebalance-now.de/en/expert-ev...
It was great to discuss the review of the EU's merger guidelines yesterday in the European Parliament. The review is a great chance to strengthen merger control. This is urgently needed to push back corporate concentration in Europe.
November 20, 2025 at 11:44 AM
It was great to discuss the review of the EU's merger guidelines yesterday in the European Parliament. The review is a great chance to strengthen merger control. This is urgently needed to push back corporate concentration in Europe.
"The European Commission wants Google to break itself up. The U.S. search giant says no." The response is no surprise. I can only repeat: Google’s control of the adtech stack represents a huge conflict of interest. Only a breakup can solve it. The EU should do it now. www.politico.eu/article/goog...
Google snubs EU request to break itself up
The U.S. search giant tells Brussels that it has a divestiture-free plan to restore competition to the ad tech market.
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 2:32 PM
"The European Commission wants Google to break itself up. The U.S. search giant says no." The response is no surprise. I can only repeat: Google’s control of the adtech stack represents a huge conflict of interest. Only a breakup can solve it. The EU should do it now. www.politico.eu/article/goog...
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