Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney has blasted big tech leaders for cozying up to President-elect Donald Trump in an attempt to influence anti-competitive policies. This move comes after several major tech companies, including Google and Apple, pledged $1 million donations to Trump’s inauguration.
Sweeney’s comments are rooted in his ongoing battles with Apple and Google over smartphone software distribution. He advocates for the ability to sell games on iPhones and Android devices without being forced into using official app stores and payment systems. Sweeney believes this current system unfairly monopolizes the mobile market.
Big Tech leaders, including those from Amazon and Meta, have also made significant donations to Trump’s inauguration. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has relaxed Facebook’s content moderation policies, seen as an effort to gain favor with the new administration. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has expressed enthusiasm for Trump and pledged support for his success.
Trump himself has commented on this shift in attitude, saying that in contrast to his first term, where everyone was against him, everyone now wants to be his friend. However, concerns remain about the potential impact of this alliance between big tech and the Trump administration on antitrust enforcement.
Law firm Skadden predicts aggressive antitrust action will likely decrease during Trump’s second term, while FTC Chair Lina Khan hopes companies like Amazon won’t receive “sweetheart deals” in upcoming antitrust trials.
Source: https://www.techspot.com/news/106314-epic-games-ceo-tim-sweeney-blasts-big-tech.html