Megan Kirkwood
@megafreda.bsky.social
(she/her) - writing about tech policy, antitrust and competition in digital economies - attempting to leave behind the Zuckerberg apps
https://www.techpolicy.press/author/megan-kirkwood/
https://mastodon.social/@megafreda
https://www.techpolicy.press/author/megan-kirkwood/
https://mastodon.social/@megafreda
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
The EU has opened a new probe into Google’s search spam policy under the Digital Markets Act, zeroing in on its “site reputation abuse” policy. Tech Policy Press fellow Megan Kirkwood breaks down what’s behind the case.
Breaking Down the EU’s Investigation into Google’s Search Policy | TechPolicy.Press
The Commission is probing Google’s “site reputation abuse” policy, known as parasite SEO. Tech Policy Press fellow Megan Kirkwood explains its impact.
buff.ly
November 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The EU has opened a new probe into Google’s search spam policy under the Digital Markets Act, zeroing in on its “site reputation abuse” policy. Tech Policy Press fellow Megan Kirkwood breaks down what’s behind the case.
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
The EU has opened a new probe into Google’s search spam policy under the Digital Markets Act, zeroing in on its “site reputation abuse” policy. Tech Policy Press fellow Megan Kirkwood breaks down what’s behind the case.
Breaking Down the EU’s Investigation into Google’s Search Policy | TechPolicy.Press
The Commission is probing Google’s “site reputation abuse” policy, known as parasite SEO. Tech Policy Press fellow Megan Kirkwood explains its impact.
www.techpolicy.press
November 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM
The EU has opened a new probe into Google’s search spam policy under the Digital Markets Act, zeroing in on its “site reputation abuse” policy. Tech Policy Press fellow Megan Kirkwood breaks down what’s behind the case.
@openrightsgroup.org just released a new report (authored by me), "Making Platforms Accountable: Empowering users and creating safety", diagnosing the problem of social media market concentration, providing examples of alternative visions, and recommendations to improve the online environment
Making Platforms Accountable: Empowering users and creating safety
A report and recommendations to improve on the online environment through user empowerment
Social media platforms dominate the online “attention market,” where user engagement and personal data are m...
www.openrightsgroup.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:13 PM
@openrightsgroup.org just released a new report (authored by me), "Making Platforms Accountable: Empowering users and creating safety", diagnosing the problem of social media market concentration, providing examples of alternative visions, and recommendations to improve the online environment
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
UK government simultaneously replaced expert advice on technology with tech company “consultants” and displaced their civil servants’ experience and expertise into AI models… It’s a disaster & an absolute gift to the tech vendors…
August 22, 2025 at 9:56 AM
UK government simultaneously replaced expert advice on technology with tech company “consultants” and displaced their civil servants’ experience and expertise into AI models… It’s a disaster & an absolute gift to the tech vendors…
"One proposed change would allow companies to claim that their AI training data is legal [...]. This permissiveness would allow Google, Meta, OpenAI and Microsoft to legitimise years of ill-gotten data gains, and make it utterly impossible for European competitors to catch up."
The EU has let US tech giants run riot. Diluting our data law will only entrench their power | Johnny Ryan and Georg Riekeles
The GDPR is Europe’s defence against digital oligarchy and child harm. Deregulation plans are misguided, say Johnny Ryan and Georg Riekeles
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
"One proposed change would allow companies to claim that their AI training data is legal [...]. This permissiveness would allow Google, Meta, OpenAI and Microsoft to legitimise years of ill-gotten data gains, and make it utterly impossible for European competitors to catch up."
Excellent winter reading lined up
November 8, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Excellent winter reading lined up
www.opendemocracy.net/en/podcasts/... -Found this really succinct and insightful
How Labour is reducing consumer protections
What can we learn about the future of consumer rights from the merger between Microsoft and Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard?
www.opendemocracy.net
November 6, 2025 at 11:55 AM
www.opendemocracy.net/en/podcasts/... -Found this really succinct and insightful
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
Sheffield Hallam University complied with Beijing demand to halt research about human rights abuses in China, leading to a major project on supply chains and forced labour being dropped. It was reinstated after threat of legal action but chilling effect remains www.theguardian.com/education/20...
UK university halted human rights research after pressure from China
Exclusive: Leading professor at Sheffield Hallam was told to cease research on supply chains and forced labour in China after demands from authorities
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Sheffield Hallam University complied with Beijing demand to halt research about human rights abuses in China, leading to a major project on supply chains and forced labour being dropped. It was reinstated after threat of legal action but chilling effect remains www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
The UK Ministry of Justice’s £6.75m OpenAI deal raises sovereignty concerns, writes Tech Policy Press fellow Megan Kirkwood, part of a continued trend in the UK government to outsource important public infrastructure to US Big Tech.
buff.ly/oiEaztE
buff.ly/oiEaztE
October 29, 2025 at 2:21 PM
The UK Ministry of Justice’s £6.75m OpenAI deal raises sovereignty concerns, writes Tech Policy Press fellow Megan Kirkwood, part of a continued trend in the UK government to outsource important public infrastructure to US Big Tech.
buff.ly/oiEaztE
buff.ly/oiEaztE
"Deputy PM David Lammy will announce a new deal with OpenAI that will see thousands of officials get their hands on its tech at a closed-door event in London." Mere months after the sweeping agreement between the UK and OpenAI, the company is implementing its tech through UK public institutions
Fear and loathing in the Home Office
Presented by Intuit By ANDREW MCDONALD with MARTIN ALFONSIN LARSEN PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser Good Thursday morning. This is Andr…
www.politico.eu
October 23, 2025 at 11:29 AM
"Deputy PM David Lammy will announce a new deal with OpenAI that will see thousands of officials get their hands on its tech at a closed-door event in London." Mere months after the sweeping agreement between the UK and OpenAI, the company is implementing its tech through UK public institutions
From Mexico to Ireland, Fury Mounts Over a Global A.I. Frenzy www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/t...
From Mexico to Ireland, Fury Mounts Over a Global A.I. Frenzy
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
From Mexico to Ireland, Fury Mounts Over a Global A.I. Frenzy www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/t...
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
“Enforcing laws is keeping the promises you gave,” EU's former competition chief Margrethe Vestager said at a conference in Brussels this week. Tech Policy Press is publishing an "Ideas for Europe’s Future" series to explore how Europe can act decisively. @ramshajahangir.bsky.social with more:
What Europe Needs to Lead the Fight for Democracy | TechPolicy.Press
Starting today, Tech Policy Press will publish perspectives from leading experts as part of an Ideas for Europe’s Future series.
www.techpolicy.press
October 16, 2025 at 2:07 PM
“Enforcing laws is keeping the promises you gave,” EU's former competition chief Margrethe Vestager said at a conference in Brussels this week. Tech Policy Press is publishing an "Ideas for Europe’s Future" series to explore how Europe can act decisively. @ramshajahangir.bsky.social with more:
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
Studies are beginning to reveal fissures in the argument that AI boosts productivity, writes Tech Policy Press fellow @eryk.bsky.social. Nonetheless, companies and governments are pouring investments into speculative growth without ample evidence.
Generative AI’s Productivity Myth | TechPolicy.Press
People may be using artificial intelligence, but that doesn’t mean it’s useful, writes Eryk Salvaggio.
www.techpolicy.press
October 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Studies are beginning to reveal fissures in the argument that AI boosts productivity, writes Tech Policy Press fellow @eryk.bsky.social. Nonetheless, companies and governments are pouring investments into speculative growth without ample evidence.
Google search has been designated under the UK's new competition law, but the "CMA continues to consider possible interventions and expects to begin consultations later in the year."
CMA confirms Google has strategic market status in search services
Following extensive consultation, the CMA confirms proposed decision.
www.gov.uk
October 10, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Google search has been designated under the UK's new competition law, but the "CMA continues to consider possible interventions and expects to begin consultations later in the year."
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
'Solve'. If this technology was really so great, you wouldn't have to force people to use it. Cannot wait for this bubble to pop.
October 8, 2025 at 8:27 AM
'Solve'. If this technology was really so great, you wouldn't have to force people to use it. Cannot wait for this bubble to pop.
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
NVIDIA and OpenAi:
Concerns that their “increasingly complex and interconnected web of business transactions is artificially propping up the trillion-dollar AI boom.“
@bloomberg.com $NVDA 👀
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Concerns that their “increasingly complex and interconnected web of business transactions is artificially propping up the trillion-dollar AI boom.“
@bloomberg.com $NVDA 👀
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
October 7, 2025 at 11:08 PM
NVIDIA and OpenAi:
Concerns that their “increasingly complex and interconnected web of business transactions is artificially propping up the trillion-dollar AI boom.“
@bloomberg.com $NVDA 👀
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Concerns that their “increasingly complex and interconnected web of business transactions is artificially propping up the trillion-dollar AI boom.“
@bloomberg.com $NVDA 👀
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
How is this repeatedly made into a policy issue - by *all* parties - when the blunt fact of the matter is that grown adults who are obliged to pay for their own education, and relentlessly pursued to repay their loans, should be able to study whatever the fuck they want.
October 8, 2025 at 8:20 AM
How is this repeatedly made into a policy issue - by *all* parties - when the blunt fact of the matter is that grown adults who are obliged to pay for their own education, and relentlessly pursued to repay their loans, should be able to study whatever the fuck they want.
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
Great article by @megafreda.bsky.social! Thanks for the shoutout for my cloud work w/ @openmarkets.bsky.social (w/ @maxvonthun.bsky.social and @danielahanley.bsky.social)
The European Commission is weighing whether the Digital Markets Act adequately covers integrated AI or if explicit inclusion is needed. Tech Policy Press fellow
@megafreda.bsky.social explores the growing push to bring these systems firmly under its scope.
@megafreda.bsky.social explores the growing push to bring these systems firmly under its scope.
Will the EU Designate AI Under the Digital Markets Act? | TechPolicy.Press
Megan Kirkwood unpacks the growing momentum to bring integrated AI applications under the scope of Europe's Digital Markets Act.
www.techpolicy.press
September 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Great article by @megafreda.bsky.social! Thanks for the shoutout for my cloud work w/ @openmarkets.bsky.social (w/ @maxvonthun.bsky.social and @danielahanley.bsky.social)
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
The European Commission is weighing whether the Digital Markets Act adequately covers integrated AI or if explicit inclusion is needed. Tech Policy Press fellow
@megafreda.bsky.social explores the growing push to bring these systems firmly under its scope.
@megafreda.bsky.social explores the growing push to bring these systems firmly under its scope.
Will the EU Designate AI Under the Digital Markets Act? | TechPolicy.Press
Megan Kirkwood unpacks the growing momentum to bring integrated AI applications under the scope of Europe's Digital Markets Act.
www.techpolicy.press
September 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The European Commission is weighing whether the Digital Markets Act adequately covers integrated AI or if explicit inclusion is needed. Tech Policy Press fellow
@megafreda.bsky.social explores the growing push to bring these systems firmly under its scope.
@megafreda.bsky.social explores the growing push to bring these systems firmly under its scope.
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
The European Commission is weighing whether the Digital Markets Act adequately covers integrated AI or if explicit inclusion is needed. Tech Policy Press fellow Megan Kirkwood explores the growing push to bring these systems firmly under its scope.
Will the EU Designate AI Under the Digital Markets Act? | TechPolicy.Press
Megan Kirkwood unpacks the growing momentum to bring integrated AI applications under the scope of Europe's Digital Markets Act.
www.techpolicy.press
September 26, 2025 at 10:47 AM
The European Commission is weighing whether the Digital Markets Act adequately covers integrated AI or if explicit inclusion is needed. Tech Policy Press fellow Megan Kirkwood explores the growing push to bring these systems firmly under its scope.
What are the arguments for and against designating generative AI under the Digital Markets Act? Should the EU concentrate instead on designating cloud computing? I had a look at the different arguments in my latest: www.techpolicy.press/will-the-eu-...
Will the EU Designate AI Under the Digital Markets Act? | TechPolicy.Press
Megan Kirkwood unpacks the growing momentum to bring integrated AI applications under the scope of Europe's Digital Markets Act.
www.techpolicy.press
September 26, 2025 at 9:20 AM
What are the arguments for and against designating generative AI under the Digital Markets Act? Should the EU concentrate instead on designating cloud computing? I had a look at the different arguments in my latest: www.techpolicy.press/will-the-eu-...
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
This week, Brazil’s President Lula da Silva gave a bold speech about democracy and tech sovereignty at the UN. But Brazil’s proposed plan for developing AI infrastructure points in another direction, writes Tech Policy Press fellow Laís Martins.
At UNGA, Lula Defends Democracy and Brazil’s Efforts to Regulate Tech, but Slips on Data Centers | TechPolicy.Press
Despite President Lula's bold talk about sovereignty, Brazil’s data center plan may not reduce its dependency on Big Tech services, writes Laís Martins.
buff.ly
September 26, 2025 at 9:01 AM
This week, Brazil’s President Lula da Silva gave a bold speech about democracy and tech sovereignty at the UN. But Brazil’s proposed plan for developing AI infrastructure points in another direction, writes Tech Policy Press fellow Laís Martins.
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
Haven't read enough about the Google search antitrust remedies? We have more for you ...
📣 New on @techpolicypress.bsky.social: Our analysis of US v. Google digs deep into Judge Mehta’s remedies ruling, exploring what we can expect from the data sharing remedies in the absence of a ban on default payments. Read more from @alissacooper.bsky.social 👇
www.techpolicy.press/without-a-pa...
www.techpolicy.press/without-a-pa...
Without a Payment Ban, What Can We Expect from the US v. Google Data Sharing Remedies? | TechPolicy.Press
There is time to try to understand how the other remedies might work and if they can open the search market to competitors, writes Alissa Cooper.
www.techpolicy.press
September 25, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Haven't read enough about the Google search antitrust remedies? We have more for you ...
Reposted by Megan Kirkwood
Finally some thorough reporting on the relationship between MAGA database man turned media magnate Larry Ellison and the Tony Blair Institute.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Inside the Tony Blair Institute
Who really benefits from the former PM’s tech evangelism?
www.newstatesman.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Finally some thorough reporting on the relationship between MAGA database man turned media magnate Larry Ellison and the Tony Blair Institute.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...