Where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Stand on Big Tech IssuesTable of ContentsIntroductionTikTok BanContent Moderation and MisinformationOnline Harassment and Hate SpeechData PrivacyAntitrust EnforcementTech Company Break-UpsAI RegulationElection InterferenceConclusionFAQsIntroductionThe influence of big tech companies on our daily lives and societal structures continues to grow, as does the scrutiny they face from lawmakers and the public. The challenge for the next U.S. president will be to balance the dominance and power of these social media giants with the need to foster free speech, privacy, and innovation. Vice President Kamala Harris, who has the backing of a majority of Democratic delegates, is a prominent potential candidate for the Democratic nomination, alongside former President Donald Trump, who is a strong contender for the Republican ticket. This blog post delves into their respective stances on key big tech issues, providing insights into how their policies might shape the future of social media, data privacy, and technological innovation.TikTok BanKamala Harris: A Neutral StanceKamala Harris has yet to articulate a clear stance on banning TikTok. This neutrality leaves open the question of how her administration might handle the controversial app, which has been at the center of international debates over data privacy and national security.Donald Trump: A Shifting ApproachDonald Trump has had a more visible history with TikTok. In 2020, he attempted to ban the app, citing national security concerns. However, by March 2024, Trump reversed his stance, possibly influenced by his renewed relationship with Republican mega-donor Jeff Yass, who has a financial stake in TikTok. This shift may indicate that, under a second Trump term, the app would face less hostility.Content Moderation and MisinformationKamala Harris: Advocating for AccountabilityHarris has consistently called for stricter regulations to hold social media platforms accountable for harmful content. She supports increased transparency in how these platforms moderate content, and she favors a collaborative approach between the government and tech companies to address misinformation effectively.Donald Trump: Revising Section 230Trump's approach has been more contentious. In 2020, he pushed for revisions to Section 230, which currently shields social media platforms from liability for user-generated content. Despite his vocal criticism of fake news, Trump has frequently disseminated misinformation on these platforms, highlighting a complex relationship with content moderation policies.Online Harassment and Hate SpeechKamala Harris: Strong Regulatory SupportHarris supports robust measures to hold social media platforms accountable for online harassment and hate speech. She believes that these platforms have not done enough to address these pervasive issues, advocating for stronger regulations to protect users.Donald Trump: Balancing Free SpeechTrump, on the other hand, has been less inclined to push for stringent regulations against online harassment and hate speech. His focus has been more on protecting free speech, often arguing against measures that he perceives as restrictive or biased against conservative voices.Data PrivacyKamala Harris: Strengthening Privacy LawsHarris advocates for stringent privacy laws to protect consumers' personal information. Her stance includes giving users greater control over their data and ensuring transparency in how companies use this information. Her approach aims to fortify user trust in social media platforms through robust privacy protections.Donald Trump: Lighter Regulatory ApproachTrump has not been particularly vocal about specific privacy policies, generally favoring a lighter regulatory approach. His policies have typically leaned towards less government intervention, which might imply fewer restrictions on how companies handle user data.Antitrust EnforcementKamala Harris: Continuation of Biden's PoliciesHarris would likely continue the antitrust enforcement policies of the Biden administration, which focus on promoting fair competition and preventing monopolistic practices within the tech industry. This continuation suggests a keen eye on large mergers and acquisitions, ensuring they do not stifle competition.Donald Trump: Aggressive ScrutinyDuring his presidency, Trump exhibited an unusually aggressive stance on antitrust issues for a Republican, scrutinizing significant mergers and acquisitions in the tech sector. While his motivations were sometimes perceived as personal grievances, this history suggests that Trump would continue to challenge large tech mergers and promote competition.Tech Company Break-UpsKamala Harris: Open to ConsiderationBack in 2019, Harris expressed openness to the idea of breaking up big tech companies, recognizing the potential need to dismantle monopolistic powers to foster fair competition and innovation.Donald Trump: Personal vs. PolicyTrump's interest in breaking up big tech companies appears to stem more from personal grievances than policy-driven antitrust concerns. His focus has been on perceived unfair treatment rather than broader antitrust principles, making it less likely that he would aggressively pursue break-ups based solely on competition issues.AI RegulationKamala Harris: Supporting OversightHarris backs President Biden's executive order for enhanced public oversight and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). She recognizes the transformative power of AI and the necessity of ensuring that its development and deployment are transparent and beneficial to society.Donald Trump: Reversal of Biden's OrderTrump has vowed to reverse Biden's executive order on AI, suggesting a shift towards less regulated development. This approach aligns with his broader philosophy of reducing government oversight to encourage innovation and growth within the tech sector.Election InterferenceKamala Harris: Platform ResponsibilityHarris acknowledges the ongoing threat of foreign election interference and places significant responsibility on social media platforms to prevent such attacks. She advocates for proactive measures to secure democratic processes and protect the integrity of elections.Donald Trump: A Controversial StanceTrump has been vocal about what he perceives as social media interference in elections, particularly the 2016 presidential election. He has threatened to regulate or shut down platforms that fail to prevent election interference, reflecting a contentious relationship with social media companies.ConclusionAs technology continues to evolve, so too do the challenges associated with regulating big tech companies. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offer contrasting visions for addressing these issues. Harris leans towards stronger regulations and accountability, striving for greater transparency and consumer protection. Trump, meanwhile, emphasizes free speech and lighter regulatory touch, with selective scrutiny on antitrust practices.Ultimately, the future of big tech regulation will significantly depend on the outcomes of the next presidential election. The policies set forth by the incoming administration will shape how social media platforms operate, how user data is protected, and how innovation is balanced with public oversight.FAQs1. What are Kamala Harris's views on breaking up big tech companies?Harris has expressed that she is open to considering breaking up large tech companies to promote fair competition and innovation.2. How does Donald Trump approach content moderation and misinformation?Trump has called for the revision of Section 230, which protects social media platforms from liability for user-generated content. He has also criticized social media companies for spreading fake news, despite his own issues with misinformation.3. What is Kamala Harris's stance on data privacy?Harris advocates for stronger privacy laws and believes in giving users more control over their data and greater transparency from companies.4. Does Donald Trump support AI regulation?Trump plans to reverse Biden's executive order on AI, indicating a preference for less regulated development within the AI sector.5. How do the candidates' views differ on election interference?Harris focuses on holding social media platforms responsible for preventing foreign election interference, while Trump has accused platforms of interfering in elections and has threatened regulation if they fail to address this issue adequately.