Jared Meyer was on the campus of Oklahoma State University on Monday 3/15/21 speaking about "Breaking up Big Tech".
The talk was livestreamed via OStateTV and can now be viewed there at your leisure:
Why "Breaking up Big Tech" will Limit the Free Exchange of Ideas
Ever Wonder Why all the Fuss about Section 230?
Starting around 0:26:28, Jared provides an excellent explanation of the scope and purpose of Section 230, and why repealing it would actually benefit the social media giants in their efforts to stifle competition.
Overview of the Talk
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With powerful technology companies dominating the social media landscape, calls to “break up Big Tech” are growing every day. But what would that actually entail? Would doing so advance the principles of liberty and freedom? Will consumers be harmed in the process? This talk argues that using antitrust — one of the federal government’s most powerful tools — would be a mistake. The consequences for consumers and the economy would be severe and extend far beyond a select few technology companies.
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Similarly, even with legitimate concerns about promoting the free exchange of ideas, government involvement in content moderation will only harm the ideals of freedom and limited government. Before advocating for sweeping policy responses to legitimate concerns, freedom-loving Americans need to remember that government involvement usually protects special interests, limits innovation, and fails to achieve its goals.
About Jared Meyer
- Jared Meyer is a Senior Policy Advisor at the Cicero Institute. Prior to joining Cicero, he worked at the Department of Labor and the White House Council of Economic Advisors. He has also worked at the Foundation for Government Accountability and the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research.
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Meyer is the coauthor of Disinherited: How Washington Is Betraying America’s Young (Encounter Books, May 2015) and the author of Uber-Positive: Why Americans Love the Sharing Economy (Encounter Books, June 2016). He has testified before various congressional committees, including the Joint Economic Committee, House Education and the Workforce Committee, House Budget Committee, and House Judiciary Committee. Meyer is also a member of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for Law and Policy.