why is europe fighting against the giants of silicon valley?

[obrian]

hey guys what's up recently i have been seeing recently that europe have been filing antitrust charges against silicon valley giants such as google,amazon and facebook. i know about the past charges but this time it looks really serious. i was wondering why is europe fighting against the big guys is it about their dominance or monopoly scheme?

 

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[theag]

Because they are stupid worthless politician F*cks.

 

[obrian]

lol that's what i was thinking as well

 

[Durete]

hey guys what's up recently i have been seeing recently that europe have been filing antitrust charges against silicon valley giants such as google,amazon and facebook. i know about the past charges but this time it looks really serious. i was wondering why is europe fighting against the big guys is it about their dominance or monopoly scheme?

If you want a real reason? There are a few that I think of right away when I read this question.

1) If it's big, we don't trust it.
2) They have a history of breaking privacy.
3) They are big, so their service must stink, (No personal service, no way to contact them, too big, so focussed on money instead of on people.)
4) They are american. Simply put, we don't like how americans do many things. including:

• World politics
• Food control
• How they deal with their society
• How they set up their businesses
• How "management" works in the US

5) Giving away control. we want to be independent, and deal with independent businesses, not with massive chains.

Believe it or not, but the most people in europe are against globalization, and anything "big", Most of us HATE the european union from our hearths, as they take away our independency, culture, rights and oh yes...money.
EU, US, China, Russia are all the same poop. I would not want to be associated with any of them as european.

Oh, and we also want to keep our money in our country, not send it to an offshore place that we cannot control.

As entrepreneur I see the Use for me personally of big services like that, but as a person I hate their "invasion", go away with TIPP, and all those other pieces of poop, we don't want it, we don't need it.
I (sadly) work for a US company, and can say, that I love being in the US for the ridiculous low prices, but hate it for everything else.

• Low wages
• management styles (Managers have too much power. it should be that employees are the boss of the manager and that the manager is the boss of the employee's. not that 1 person that doesn't like you can ruin your 'career'.)
• the culture of the company (Saying things to your coworkers can cost you your job, lol.)
• hierarchy (I cannot walk into the big bosses office and have a good chat without repercussions. My evaluation of the manager counts for less as his evaluation for me, etc etc etc.)
• politics (It is about who you know, not what you can do.)
• Culture: We see americans as Fake, indirect and dishonest people.
• Weak: We see america as weak and corrupt.

(ok.. I am grateful that they came to help in the 2nd world war, but that doesn't mean we have to become a little mini-mi.)

Disclaimer: Not meant to hurt anybody, but you asked why, this is the general consensus of the 'normal' class people in europe, spread over many countries. and while I personally do not hate americans, I know quite a few good people. I do hate quite a few aspects of the culture, management styles and business-setup.

 

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[Mattie]

• Low wages

• management styles (Managers have too much power. it should be that employees are the boss of the manager and that the manager is the boss of the employee's. not that 1 person that doesn't like you can ruin your 'career'.)

• the culture of the company (Saying things to your coworkers can cost you your job, lol.)

• hierarchy (I cannot walk into the big bosses office and have a good chat without repercussions. My evaluation of the manager counts for less as his evaluation for me, etc etc etc.)

• politics (It is about who you know, not what you can do.)

• Culture: We see americans as Fake, indirect and dishonest people.

• Weak: We see america as weak and corrupt.

I can't say from the European perspective, but I can say moving to Europe from the United States I do see their point of view. You have to remember what ever side is looking into the others window.

Like medical care for example: Speaking with a Physician here the care of patients here is more personal and not so much about social class or finances from my experience in the NL. As he stated having a friend Physician in U.S. the care is not about the people as much as it is about the money, and pushing as many patients in a short time frame.

I'm sure Europe has same problems, but handles them in a less conservative and strict way. And I see that the most being brought up in a conservative, republican, strict area back home. I had this discussion a few years back with a few professors as well. As one of them explained, in the North people are more uptight and stiff. They need things to be controlled, organized, supposed, to ought to, do it my way or the highway. lol In the south you will find people more relaxed and not so uptight in our own country. I feel your making generalizations about Europeans because like us in the U.S. instead of countries we have states that are all different and treat people differently depending where you're from and point of view. East Coast and West Coast even have different ways of doing things.

I think you have to remember too there are some countries that are about "We" versus "Me" and or Collective and not individual. So yes, Individual may give opportunity, which America is about "I". Screw the rest of the world. Whatever country you're from and you happen to be an entrepreneur it's always about "I" first and then "We". I believe there are just two sides: The business and social entrepreneurs. The U.S. wants to be in first place with everything. So, of course other countries may think they're a bit bossy. Everyone wants to be the leader. We used to joke about this in one of my classes.

We want to win! Want to be #1. How bad do you want it? This is the American Way! And we all know this. And of course every other country wants the same power. We're all after the same thing in this world. There's good and bad players. Fortunately, the other one is always the enemy because lack of knowledge, hidden agenda's, motivations, and intentions.

Just like on the micro scale of "I" as an individual on the macro scale as a country, the chaos is needed until humanity learns to corporate, stopping fighting, warring, and destructing themselves. Whether we like to admit it or not, we do have a cause and effect on everyone globally no matter what side of the fence. Countries all make choices, Leaders all make choices, and sometimes they're the wrong ones and people die, get sick, etc. The money thing kills and destroys, or heals and lifts up. More about what is the agenda, motivation, intention, and what's the big picture behind the whole thing.

Both sides of the world impact one another financially and politically.

 

[arcola]

The only thing europe has brought to entrepreneurship is the samwer brothers
The biggest immitators of all time

California>europe

 

[H. Palmer]

The only thing europe has brought to entrepreneurship is the samwer brothers
The biggest immitators of all time

California>europe

I can imagine if you're an American not knowing much about other countries, let alone speak their language, that you think like that.

It's obvious nonsense.

Not trying to offend anyone, but just correcting a misunderstanding.

 

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[H. Palmer]

Mattie, if you live in Maastricht, you're probably familiar by now with André Rieu.

Typical old school Dutch entrepreneur who doesn't understand the concept of limits.

 

[Mattie]

Mattie, if you live in Maastricht, you're probably familiar by now with André Rieu.

Ha ha! This one! Seems he took over the world with Music. No I never heard of him. But I guess i have now.
http://harmonyparlor.blogspot.nl/2010/03/andre-rieu-musician-conductor.html

When you're an entrepreneur I can see how it's possible to become limitless and lose yourself in being limitless. Where is the fine line?

Nice to see I'm not the only Entrepreneur awake in the Netherlands. lol

 

[Mattie]

Typical old school Dutch entrepreneur who doesn't understand the concept of limits.

I guess so! Then I was thinking, I think Dutch people like festivity and like to be big. I've noticed that with carnival and some other events.

 

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[H. Palmer]

I guess so! Then I was thinking, I think Dutch people like festivity and like to be big. I've noticed that with carnival and some other events.

Yes, there's always a reason for a party. Queen's day, king's day, carnaval, Pinkpop (also in Limburg), Lowlands Pop, European and World Cup football, Friday night, Saturday night, Liberation Day, etcetera. Personally I think the party scene is saturated.

But I think this is the reason the Dutch disck jockeys are the best and highest paid in the world. Just think of Armin van Buuren, Tiesto, Hardwell, Afrojack.

They invented a totally new brand of entrepreneurship combining technology with entertainment and stage performance. In a sense they are André's younger nephews.

 

[Mattie]

Yes, there's always a reason for a party. Queen's day, king's day, carnaval, Pinkpop (also in Limburg), Lowlands Pop, European and World Cup football, Friday night, Saturday night, Liberation Day, etcetera. Personally I think the party scene is saturated.

Probably why I love living here. Yes I love techno music too! Always fun here. Can't wait for it to get warmer and do some stuff. I've had a blast since I've been here. I think once you get a taste of Dutch, you can never go back. Ha! Ha! I do miss the water though back home. I think the whole country has been based on Entrepreneurs being so small and so they had to do it Big! Maybe that's the lesson from the Dutch, go Big and shine!

 

[geekboy]

I'm no fan of the EU but think in some cases antitrust legislation is needed, as once a company gains complete control over a market they can just cut off competition before it gets started and jack up the prices.

I was reading about that in this case, Google does not subject it's own shopping comparison service to their search algorithm and simply puts it at the very top in front of competing services who are there by merit. The whole point of the organic listings is supposedly to return the 'best' result as determined by the factors they have decided are important, such as inbound links etc

So customers will end up using Google shopping not because its necessarily the best service but because Google has a Monopoly on search and they are manipulating the results in their favour.

Seems pretty similar to how Microsoft abused its position to crush Netscape to me, which subsequently got the attention of the DOJ. Was netscape navigator better than internet explorer? Who knows, but millions never even got to make that choice because they forced PC manufacturers to bundle IE free with windows and for the next 10+ years IE had a monopoly on the browser market - and it was a pretty crap browser. Anyone still use IE now there's more choice available?

From Google's point of view though what they're doing makes complete sense. Their goal is to make as much $$$ as possible and if they can just bump their services to the top, why wouldn't they do it?

Let's not kid ourselves though and think Google is trying to provide the best 'value' to the customer and the end result is that they ultimately make more money. They are simply abusing their position to restrict consumer choice in areas other than their primary business, in order to profit more.

On top of that, they pay F*ck all tax.

 

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[Durete]

Interesting posts here,

a reply to @Mattie I Don't think that I'm generalizing. I have lived in the following countries, and found the same feelings everywhere:
- Germany
- Spain (Both mainland and the Balearic islands)
- Greece (both mainland and Crete)
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- Iceland
- Finland
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Portugal
- Gibraltar
- Andorra
- France
- Great brittain (England, scotland, ireland)
- Ireland
- Belgium
- Luxembourgh

Some countries are a little bit divided, such as germany, as they are the leaders of the EU after all and the politicians and richer people have benefits from it.
But the normal people in the above countries in general HATE the EU.

 

[happybhoy]

The EU have a long term plan for the united states of europe. Beware Aldi overtaking your grocery market.

 

[Bila]

I see it that way ... I am sure if a Russian, Chinese, European giant like google, Amazon had 91% of a share market in US, American legislators WILL intervene and regulate it's operations in American soil so fair enough i say

 

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[Phones]

Who the hell in Europe hates the EU? LOL

As a Portuguese citizen, I'm more than glad to have joined the EU. I'd be trading in "Escudos" instead of Euros and would have a bureaucratic wall every time I needed to ship anything outside.

And really, loss of own culture because we joined the EU? Nonsense. We can now share that culture, one of the reasons many foreigners fall in love with Lisbon.

The only people against the EU in Portugal are the communist/socialist who are attached to their inherited benefits, and whoever associates the austerity measures to the EU. If Portugal hadn't joined the EU we would be much worse than we are right now. Heck, we could be a decent EU country if we didn't had spent all EU funds in highways and shit.

And about the main topic subject, EU is fighting big US companies because they are big, and they don't comply with many EU procedures (some of them make no sense at all to be honest). Also EU authorities like to think they can protect citizens privacy against the big US companies, while I may agree to some measure, mostly are the EU citizens themselves posting everything about their lives on Facebook, there's nothing you can do about that.
EU also dislikes that almost all big worldwide companies are US based, specially the technological ones, it represents a lack of power and authority. As a citizen, I couldn't care less, if anyone still thinks we have the right to privacy of what we post and do online, please wake up.

 

[Mattie]

EU authorities like to think they can protect citizens privacy against the big US companies

This is the part I like. Is there a reason why we need to know peoples private information? There's no reason for people's addresses, phone numbers, even i.p. addresses, etc. to be traced, besides any other information available unless it's voluntarily given. And even who your friends and family are etc. Who ever your connected with and talk too. It's a bit insane at times what kind of information anyone can get about us and complete strangers.

 

[H. Palmer]

The EU have a long term plan for the united states of europe. Beware Aldi overtaking your grocery market.

Haha, this is interesting.

Aldi happens to be a European fastlane business story.

It was founded several decades ago by Karl Albrecht whose father was a coal miner.

When Karl died last year he left his family the equivalent in euro's of 29 billion dollars.

In many respects he is the European equivalent of Sam Walton.

 

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[arcola]

The EU have a long term plan for the united states of europe. Beware Aldi overtaking your grocery market.

They already took over the grocery business.

Trader joes is the biggest phenomenon since walmart...owned by aldi nord
trader joes has half the stores of bed bath beyond yet sells way more