Microsoft's US$69 billion deal to purchase Activision Blizzard has been blocked by the USA's FTC. The complaint specifically calls out Microsoft's decision to make "several of Bethesda's titles including Starfield and Redfall Microsoft exclusives despite assurances it had given to European antitrust authorities that it had no incentive to withhold games from rival consoles", as justification, despite Microsoft signing deals this week with Nintendo and Steam to guarantee Call of Duty for those platforms. Microsoft President Brad Smith said "while we believe in giving peace a chance, we have complete confidence in our case and welcome the opportunity to present it in court" and controversial Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said he has "confidence that this deal will close", "despite a regulatory environment focused on ideology and misconceptions about the tech industry".
The Senate Economics References Committee's inquiry into international digital platforms operated by Big Tech companies (yeah that's the full name) has released an issues paper, outlining the things it will look into. It's set to cover a very wide range of issues, including, but not limited to "Big Tech" market concentration, the cloud, algorithms and transparency, data and privacy, children's safety, the metaverse, "international" (I assume looking into what they do overseas) and Big Tech's role in internet disinformation. The aim is to do a whole bunch of research, take submissions from the public, then see if there's anything the government could regulate. I expect it to be a huge gripe-fest from all corners of society about all the ways Big Tech is fucking us. The committee will submit its report by the last sitting day of 2023, so about a year from now.
Feel like starting your own ISP? The appropriately named startyourownisp.com has a heap of resources to make your information superhighway cyber adventure dreams a reality. The site is pitched at someone who wants to start a wireless ISP (aka a WISP) to service a rural community. The hardware is a commodity now, so armed with a bit of networking knowledge, a fibre backhaul and some billing software, it's possible to start a profitable ISP bringing fast internet access to an under served area. It's a US site so some of the regulations (i.e: dealing with the FCC, their equivalent of our ACMA) are different, but the bulk of information applies just fine for Australia too.
Here's five interesting discussions over on The Sizzle's paid subscriber forum for you to enjoy over the weekend. If you are not a paid subscriber but want to get involved, visit https://thesizzle.com.au/payme to get onboard.
This handout photo taken on October 3, 2022 and released by the Vatican press office, the Vatican Media, shows Pope Francis (R) talking with Apple CEO Tim Cook during a private audience at the Vatican (AFP PHOTO / VATICAN MEDIA)
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