President Biden’s tech to-do list

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President Biden is inheriting complex tech questions including how to curb powerful digital superstars, what to do with Chinese technology, and how to attract more Americans. Online.

Here’s a look at the tech policy opportunities and challenges for the new Biden administration:

Limited technological power: Under the Trump administration, there have been noisy investigations, lawsuits, and debates about the power of Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple and other tech companies. The tech giants can expect much of the same under Mr. Biden and a narrow Democratic-controlled Congress.

Government lawsuits accusing Google and Facebook of violating the law to succeed or continue so will be assigned to the new administration, which is expected to continue such lawsuits. Many lawsuits can also happen, making it difficult for Big Tech to continue as it is now.

On Tuesday, a top Justice Department attorney appointed by former President Donald Trump agreed to a variety of regulations from congressional Democrats, who argue that America’s top four tech superpowers are exclusive harmful ones. Speech showed that hate Big Tech is one of the few areas where bipartisan agreement.

Mr. Biden seems to agree with the Trump administration’s concerns about China’s ambitions in the tech and other sectors, but he said nothing more than moving towards a more coherent and consistent policy. . Mr. Biden also expressed support for the government to invest more in essential US technology to counter China’s technological ambitions.

Device number: The pandemic has highlighted a persistent gap between Americans who can access and can afford Internet services and millions who cannot, especially in low-income or rural households.

Mr. Biden’s priorities refer to “global broadband,” but he doesn’t specify how to get there. The Washington Post reported that Biden’s advisers wanted to raise the E-Rate, a program that helps schools and libraries provide internet access.

What else? Mr. Biden’s economic revitalization plan includes proposals to “kick off the most ambitious effort ever” to modernize the US network. Maybe this is the year for federal data privacy law? And there are rift between Democrats about the special treatment of “contract” workers.

The new administration’s most pressing priorities are ending the pandemic and helping Americans recover from the damage. But the way the US government handles complex questions about these technologies will also have a big impact on Americans and others around the world.

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Before we go …

• The long-standing mission to limit the downsides of the Internet: Discord, the popular chat app with video game players, has made a series of changes to the police against child predators, bullies, and other threats. The Wall Street Journal looked at Discord’s efforts and spoke to people who also wanted parental controls over the app.

• China’s most prominent tech CEO reappears: Jack Ma, the man behind China’s two biggest tech companies, reappeared in public at an educational event, said my colleague Tiffany May. Ma has not been seen since late last year when authorities cracked down on his trading empire after he criticized government regulation.

• Not allowed to use Peloton in the Situation Room: Mr. Biden loves his Peloton exercise bike, but it probably needs some modification – take the camera and microphone away! – to prevent hackers from snooping on national secrets.

Hold this

Enjoy two Scottish Shetland horses wear hand-knit sweaters.

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