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August 23, 2024
Let the countdown begin!
Another week down, another week closer to Google’s blockbuster antitrust trial.
It starts Sept. 9 and could literally change the world. With that in mind, we’re rolling out a series to help you understand the stakes and the quirks of the notoriously opaque adtech industry.
First up: How Google captures the online ad industry, that industry’s parts, and why you should care. Speaking of the Google trial, the Department of Justice and Google filed their proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law this week.
Consider this a sneak peek of what's to come in court. They’re a breezy 500-plus pages total, so if you’d rather keep your weekend free, keep an eye on USvGoogleAds.com. We’re going through the documents (and by “we” I mean Sarah Kay Wiley, our director of policy, and Arielle Garcia, our director of intelligence) and will be posting our thoughts there. If you JUST CAN’T WAIT, here’s the DoJ’s and here’s Google’s.
Anything you want to know about the upcoming trial or would like explained? Let us know at [email protected].
Google bought its way out of paying its share yet again
California was working on a law requiring Google to pay news outlets for distributing their content — but now that’s been shelved.
Instead, about $250 million will be distributed to news outlets and vaguely defined AI efforts over five years, with some money coming from California taxpayers. Sarah does a great job quickly explaining everything wrong with this deal on LinkedIn.
I will say this: Funding journalism and AI out of the same pool of cash feels like giving money to both the Forest Fire Prevention Foundation and the Fund for Guys Who Like Throwing Lit Cigarettes Over Their Shoulders in the Woods.
Chicago? More like Chicawent! Claire and investigative reporter Rachel Gilmore jetted off to Chicago this week (NOT Boston, like I said in my last email. Sorry!) to attend the Critical Internet Studies Institute's investigations workshop for journalists, researchers, and civil rights advocates.
A good time was had, snacks were eaten, panels were held, journalism was bettered, and there was even a surprise Nandini appearance.
