Scott Chipolina
@scottchipolina.bsky.social
Journalist at Balanced Economy Project and X escapee. Formerly FT.
Email/send tips to: scott@balancedeconomy.org
Email/send tips to: scott@balancedeconomy.org
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
Excellent, spot-on, piece from @joellegergis.bsky.social
It's fossil fuels stupid!
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It's fossil fuels stupid!
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Net zero is an insidious loophole that distracts from the scientific imperative to eliminate fossil fuels | Joëlle Gergis
History tells us that polite incrementalism and political kowtowing will prevail at Cop30 – even as catastrophe unfolds around us
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Excellent, spot-on, piece from @joellegergis.bsky.social
It's fossil fuels stupid!
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It's fossil fuels stupid!
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
If Big Pharma can "coordinate to extract even higher prices (pressuring govt in "cartel-like behaviour [with] serious consequences for public health") the public is ultimately paying twice: once through higher drug costs & then again through poor regulatory oversight"
~ @balancedeconomy.bsky.social
~ @balancedeconomy.bsky.social
CMA declines investigation into Big Pharma
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of The Counterbalance. This week, we’re taking a follow up look at the UK’s troubles with Big Pharma.
thecounterbalance.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 2:21 PM
If Big Pharma can "coordinate to extract even higher prices (pressuring govt in "cartel-like behaviour [with] serious consequences for public health") the public is ultimately paying twice: once through higher drug costs & then again through poor regulatory oversight"
~ @balancedeconomy.bsky.social
~ @balancedeconomy.bsky.social
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
On #WorldMentalHealthDay, remember how Big Tech’s addictive design harms young minds and self-worth. This briefing calls for urgent regulation: #bettermentalhealth
lhttps://peoplevsbig.pulse.ly/tkdemkcnij
lhttps://peoplevsbig.pulse.ly/tkdemkcnij
October 10, 2025 at 7:59 AM
On #WorldMentalHealthDay, remember how Big Tech’s addictive design harms young minds and self-worth. This briefing calls for urgent regulation: #bettermentalhealth
lhttps://peoplevsbig.pulse.ly/tkdemkcnij
lhttps://peoplevsbig.pulse.ly/tkdemkcnij
www.politico.eu/article/ngo-...
Read @politico.com coverage of a letter signed by @balancedeconomy.bsky.social and other orgs urging the UK’s CMA to open an investigation into suspected anticompetitive behaviour among drugmakers. 👇
Read @politico.com coverage of a letter signed by @balancedeconomy.bsky.social and other orgs urging the UK’s CMA to open an investigation into suspected anticompetitive behaviour among drugmakers. 👇
NGOs demand UK competition authority probe pharma over investment pauses
A letter to the Competition and Markets Authority from three NGOs accuses companies of “suspected” anticompetitive behavior.
www.politico.eu
September 30, 2025 at 9:34 AM
www.politico.eu/article/ngo-...
Read @politico.com coverage of a letter signed by @balancedeconomy.bsky.social and other orgs urging the UK’s CMA to open an investigation into suspected anticompetitive behaviour among drugmakers. 👇
Read @politico.com coverage of a letter signed by @balancedeconomy.bsky.social and other orgs urging the UK’s CMA to open an investigation into suspected anticompetitive behaviour among drugmakers. 👇
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
Great work by @lobbyctrl-tech.bsky.social highlighting the #google situation as @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu has carried out with her #adtech decision.
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 12:30 PM
Great work by @lobbyctrl-tech.bsky.social highlighting the #google situation as @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu has carried out with her #adtech decision.
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
A Happy 90th to the world's favourite boardgame. #Monopoly taught us that if someone has all the money and all the properties, no one else can even play. Centralised power is good for the winners, a nightmare for everyone else!
https://bbc.pulse.ly/fwmgkg7dtn
https://bbc.pulse.ly/fwmgkg7dtn
Royal Mint makes real Monopoly money with collectible 50p
A special limited edition 50 pence piece has been created to mark the popular board game's 90th anniversary.
bbc.pulse.ly
September 15, 2025 at 3:47 PM
A Happy 90th to the world's favourite boardgame. #Monopoly taught us that if someone has all the money and all the properties, no one else can even play. Centralised power is good for the winners, a nightmare for everyone else!
https://bbc.pulse.ly/fwmgkg7dtn
https://bbc.pulse.ly/fwmgkg7dtn
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
This week’s Counterbalance lays out why structural remedies—not slap-on-the-wrist fines—are the only way forward.
📬 Read, share, and subscribe: https://substack.pulse.ly/q10r8abwql
#Counterbalance #Adtech #MonopolyPower #DigitalDemocracy #EUCompetition
📬 Read, share, and subscribe: https://substack.pulse.ly/q10r8abwql
#Counterbalance #Adtech #MonopolyPower #DigitalDemocracy #EUCompetition
Europe and Google: At a Crossroads
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of The Counterbalance. This week, we’re continuing our look at the biggest competition case going: Google.
substack.pulse.ly
September 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
This week’s Counterbalance lays out why structural remedies—not slap-on-the-wrist fines—are the only way forward.
📬 Read, share, and subscribe: https://substack.pulse.ly/q10r8abwql
#Counterbalance #Adtech #MonopolyPower #DigitalDemocracy #EUCompetition
📬 Read, share, and subscribe: https://substack.pulse.ly/q10r8abwql
#Counterbalance #Adtech #MonopolyPower #DigitalDemocracy #EUCompetition
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
470 organisations including the Balanced Economy Project have spoken with one voice.
Their message to President von der Leyen and the EU:
This Commission’s deregulation campaign threatens public interest. We denounce it
#EuropeanCommission #Antitrust,
https://balancedeconomy.pulse.ly/fsma9vveho
Their message to President von der Leyen and the EU:
This Commission’s deregulation campaign threatens public interest. We denounce it
#EuropeanCommission #Antitrust,
https://balancedeconomy.pulse.ly/fsma9vveho
Balanced Economy Project joins call to resist profit-driven policy ahead of EU Commission President State of the Union — Balanced Economy Project
Portrait of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission © European Union, 2025
balancedeconomy.pulse.ly
September 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM
470 organisations including the Balanced Economy Project have spoken with one voice.
Their message to President von der Leyen and the EU:
This Commission’s deregulation campaign threatens public interest. We denounce it
#EuropeanCommission #Antitrust,
https://balancedeconomy.pulse.ly/fsma9vveho
Their message to President von der Leyen and the EU:
This Commission’s deregulation campaign threatens public interest. We denounce it
#EuropeanCommission #Antitrust,
https://balancedeconomy.pulse.ly/fsma9vveho
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
Stunning advice being given to Downing Street
September 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Stunning advice being given to Downing Street
The Counterbalance is back this week after a brief summer hiatus. Read my latest on Europe’s decision to freeze a ruling on Google amidst political pressure from the US:
thecounterbalance.substack.com/p/europe-bli...
thecounterbalance.substack.com/p/europe-bli...
Europe blinks in the fight against Big Tech
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of The Counterbalance newsletter. This week, we’re taking stock of Europe’s latest move on Google.
thecounterbalance.substack.com
September 3, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The Counterbalance is back this week after a brief summer hiatus. Read my latest on Europe’s decision to freeze a ruling on Google amidst political pressure from the US:
thecounterbalance.substack.com/p/europe-bli...
thecounterbalance.substack.com/p/europe-bli...
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
If true, this update is astonishing.
The Commission climbed down from a planned break up of Google’s ad business to a mere fine, and then dropped even the fine for fear of offending Trump.
This is for market violations that have been proven in U.S. court.
The Commission climbed down from a planned break up of Google’s ad business to a mere fine, and then dropped even the fine for fear of offending Trump.
This is for market violations that have been proven in U.S. court.
September 1, 2025 at 9:40 PM
If true, this update is astonishing.
The Commission climbed down from a planned break up of Google’s ad business to a mere fine, and then dropped even the fine for fear of offending Trump.
This is for market violations that have been proven in U.S. court.
The Commission climbed down from a planned break up of Google’s ad business to a mere fine, and then dropped even the fine for fear of offending Trump.
This is for market violations that have been proven in U.S. court.
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
The reports that the EU is holding off action against #Google’s illegal AdTech monopoly take Europe’s democratic deficit to a new level.
Doing nothing hands #BigTech & the US state dangerous power, undermining Europe’s own competition laws.
#DigitalSovereignty #BreakUpBigTech #Antitrust #EU
Doing nothing hands #BigTech & the US state dangerous power, undermining Europe’s own competition laws.
#DigitalSovereignty #BreakUpBigTech #Antitrust #EU
September 2, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The reports that the EU is holding off action against #Google’s illegal AdTech monopoly take Europe’s democratic deficit to a new level.
Doing nothing hands #BigTech & the US state dangerous power, undermining Europe’s own competition laws.
#DigitalSovereignty #BreakUpBigTech #Antitrust #EU
Doing nothing hands #BigTech & the US state dangerous power, undermining Europe’s own competition laws.
#DigitalSovereignty #BreakUpBigTech #Antitrust #EU
The Balanced Economy Project, alongside over 50 civil society groups and experts, has today signed a letter urging the EU to stand firm on digital sovereignty.
Read below 👇
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/lette...
Read below 👇
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/lette...
BEP Joins Civil Society Letter Urging EU to Stand Firm on Digital Sovereignty — Balanced Economy Project
BEP Joins Civil Society Letter Urging EU to Stand Firm on Digital Sovereignty — Balanced Economy Project
www.balancedeconomy.org
September 2, 2025 at 2:28 PM
The Balanced Economy Project, alongside over 50 civil society groups and experts, has today signed a letter urging the EU to stand firm on digital sovereignty.
Read below 👇
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/lette...
Read below 👇
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/lette...
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
The short version of AI adoption driven by CEOs and executives:
August 19, 2025 at 7:33 AM
The short version of AI adoption driven by CEOs and executives:
Policy options:
1) Effectively regulate the energy consumption of data centers in the UK;
2) Ask the general public to delete precious memories of their families and friends;
The UK government:
1) Effectively regulate the energy consumption of data centers in the UK;
2) Ask the general public to delete precious memories of their families and friends;
The UK government:
The UK government has urged people to delete old pictures and emails as 'data centres require vast amounts of water to cool their systems'.
http://jrnl.ie/6788643
http://jrnl.ie/6788643
UK government advises people to delete old photos and emails as England faces water shortfall
The UK government has urged people to delete old pictures and emails as ‘data centres require cast amounts of water to cool their systems’.
jrnl.ie
August 13, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Policy options:
1) Effectively regulate the energy consumption of data centers in the UK;
2) Ask the general public to delete precious memories of their families and friends;
The UK government:
1) Effectively regulate the energy consumption of data centers in the UK;
2) Ask the general public to delete precious memories of their families and friends;
The UK government:
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
Hi there. Do you, a friend, colleague, or family dog, want to nail #OSINT basics: geolocation, flight tracking, hidden info, disinfo etc?
I've published 40 videos on YouTube.
Upside: they're free. Downside: my Aussie twang and choice of intro tunes. www.youtube.com/@Bendobrown/...
I've published 40 videos on YouTube.
Upside: they're free. Downside: my Aussie twang and choice of intro tunes. www.youtube.com/@Bendobrown/...
July 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Hi there. Do you, a friend, colleague, or family dog, want to nail #OSINT basics: geolocation, flight tracking, hidden info, disinfo etc?
I've published 40 videos on YouTube.
Upside: they're free. Downside: my Aussie twang and choice of intro tunes. www.youtube.com/@Bendobrown/...
I've published 40 videos on YouTube.
Upside: they're free. Downside: my Aussie twang and choice of intro tunes. www.youtube.com/@Bendobrown/...
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
Despite the fact that "stablecoins are anything but stable...the US Senate last month passed legislation that created a pathway for private tech companies to issue stablecoins to consumers." thecounterbalance.substack.com/p/big-techs-... from @scottchipolina.bsky.social @balancedeconomy.bsky.social
Big Tech's chaotic encroachment into finance
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of The Counterbalance. This week we’re taking a look at the crypto industry’s quest for legitimacy.
thecounterbalance.substack.com
July 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Despite the fact that "stablecoins are anything but stable...the US Senate last month passed legislation that created a pathway for private tech companies to issue stablecoins to consumers." thecounterbalance.substack.com/p/big-techs-... from @scottchipolina.bsky.social @balancedeconomy.bsky.social
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
🚨 Today we're sending a loud message to the EU to stand up to the tech oligarchy and #BreakUpBigTech! 📣📣
We've delivered a petition from +115,000 people calling on @ec.europa.eu @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu to break up Google, ahead of its major ruling on Google's toxic online advertising monopoly.
We've delivered a petition from +115,000 people calling on @ec.europa.eu @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu to break up Google, ahead of its major ruling on Google's toxic online advertising monopoly.
June 18, 2025 at 10:10 AM
🚨 Today we're sending a loud message to the EU to stand up to the tech oligarchy and #BreakUpBigTech! 📣📣
We've delivered a petition from +115,000 people calling on @ec.europa.eu @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu to break up Google, ahead of its major ruling on Google's toxic online advertising monopoly.
We've delivered a petition from +115,000 people calling on @ec.europa.eu @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu to break up Google, ahead of its major ruling on Google's toxic online advertising monopoly.
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
Europe has fined Apple and Meta in a potentially watershed moment in the fight against monopoly power.
Read our story below:
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/fcxan...
Read our story below:
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/fcxan...
The EU slams Apple and Meta with a combined fine of almost $800 million — Balanced Economy Project
www.balancedeconomy.org
April 23, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Europe has fined Apple and Meta in a potentially watershed moment in the fight against monopoly power.
Read our story below:
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/fcxan...
Read our story below:
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/fcxan...
BREAKING: Europe has fined Apple and Meta a combined value of almost $800 million. Read our story at the Balanced Economy Project here:
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/fcxan...
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/fcxan...
The EU slams Apple and Meta with a combined fine of almost $800 million — Balanced Economy Project
www.balancedeconomy.org
April 23, 2025 at 11:37 AM
BREAKING: Europe has fined Apple and Meta a combined value of almost $800 million. Read our story at the Balanced Economy Project here:
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/fcxan...
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/fcxan...
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
Tariffs: "without changes to Wall St reindustrialization can’t happen. The US financial system is so parasitic that any benefits to domestic firms will not result in more investment but will just be sucked away by Wall St" (&Trump is NOT going to take on financialisation) @matthewstoller.bsky.social
With High Tariffs, Has Trump Ended Or Revived Neoliberalism?
Donald Trump's problematic tariff plan will engender a 'capital strike' from big business and the rest of the world. Wall Street is planning revenge. Small business is panicking. What comes next?
www.thebignewsletter.com
April 8, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Tariffs: "without changes to Wall St reindustrialization can’t happen. The US financial system is so parasitic that any benefits to domestic firms will not result in more investment but will just be sucked away by Wall St" (&Trump is NOT going to take on financialisation) @matthewstoller.bsky.social
Reposted by Scott Chipolina
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳.
Last week, we brought together CSOs to confront this reality and strategise on how to fight back.
Lessons:
🌍Monopolies are global and so should be our solutions
🤝We have an opportunity to build bold new alliances
Read more ⬇️
Last week, we brought together CSOs to confront this reality and strategise on how to fight back.
Lessons:
🌍Monopolies are global and so should be our solutions
🤝We have an opportunity to build bold new alliances
Read more ⬇️
No time to lose - SOMO
Tackling monopoly power to protect democracy Last week, SOMO hosted a civil society gathering to confront the rising tide of corporate monopoly power and its deepening entanglement with the global far...
www.somo.nl
April 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳.
Last week, we brought together CSOs to confront this reality and strategise on how to fight back.
Lessons:
🌍Monopolies are global and so should be our solutions
🤝We have an opportunity to build bold new alliances
Read more ⬇️
Last week, we brought together CSOs to confront this reality and strategise on how to fight back.
Lessons:
🌍Monopolies are global and so should be our solutions
🤝We have an opportunity to build bold new alliances
Read more ⬇️
Teresa Ribera came to the defence of the #DMA during a fireside chat at The Atlantic Council earlier today.
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/fcxan...
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/fcxan...
Teresa Ribera defends Digital Markets Act in wake of US tariffs — Balanced Economy Project
www.balancedeconomy.org
April 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Teresa Ribera came to the defence of the #DMA during a fireside chat at The Atlantic Council earlier today.
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/fcxan...
www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/fcxan...