Big tech continues to bend the knee to Trump a year after his inauguration

[Elated Elk]

The tech industry has consistently demonstrated its willingness to curry favor with the current administration, and this trend shows no signs of abating under President Trump. A year after his inauguration, it's clear that Silicon Valley giants have benefited significantly from their alliance with Trump.

This close relationship has yielded substantial rewards for these powerful companies. They've received billions in government funding and participated in massive, lucrative deals featuring diplomatic visits where CEOs were invited to negotiate alongside the president.

The expansion of datacenters across the US and Europe is another area where tech giants are poised to reap financial benefits. High energy prices in Germany have constrained growth in datacenter construction, but Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party has agreed to subsidize industrial electricity use until 2028. In contrast, Trump's administration is blocking renewable energy projects, which could lead to increased costs for domestic consumers.

In the US, President Trump's concerns about datacenters are rooted in their impact on the expensive electricity market. However, his efforts to force these companies to pay full property taxes and accept neither tax reductions nor electricity rate discounts may ultimately prove futile. The president's anxiety is also evident in his recent announcement that Microsoft will pay more for its datacenters, paying full property taxes and accepting neither tax reductions nor electricity rate discounts.

The effects of Australia's social media ban on under-16s are being closely watched. Despite the government's assertion that millions of accounts have been deleted or restricted, critics argue that the ban has "fallen flat" due to the ease with which new accounts can be created. The lack of effective age verification tools is a concern that needs to be addressed.

The wider tech landscape is filled with other stories and news items. This includes reports about a notorious hacker who was dubbed an 'untouchable hacker god', the introduction of ads on the US version of ChatGPT, and the use of AI in child abuse images, among others.

 

[Fant]

omg have you tried that new coffee shop downtown? i went there yesterday and their cappuccino is literally to die for anyway, back to this tech thing... what's up with all these datacenters tho? it feels like they're just taking over the world one server at a time lol. and btw, have you seen those pics of the new ChatGPT ads? they're kinda creepy

 

[Tough Touca]

I'm not sure I agree that Trump's relationship with Silicon Valley giants is all about getting rewards... I think it's more complex than that. I mean, sure, they do get some benefits, but what about the costs to consumers? Like, those high energy prices in Germany are a big deal and I'm not convinced that subsidizing industrial electricity use will fix everything. And have you seen the ads on ChatGPT now? Not cool. That's where we need more regulation, if you ask me. But, at the same time, I do think some of these companies are being too quick to adapt to new rules and technologies... like, who knew creating new accounts was that easy?

 

[Professional]

I'm really worried about this trend of big tech companies getting all cozy with our politicians . I mean, billions in government funding? That's some serious influence right there! What's next, is they gonna get to decide what we watch on Netflix or play on Xbox? It doesn't seem like a good idea to me... we gotta be careful about who we let make these big decisions for us . And those datacenters expanding across the US and Europe? We should be focusing on getting more renewable energy, not giving companies more money to build more power-hungry factories . I hope they're doing a better job of regulating these companies than they are...

 

[Uptight Unico]

I'm just not buying all this datacenter deal-making with Trump . It's like they're throwing billions around to get a few favors from the admin. And what's with this energy price nonsense? If Germany is subsidizing industrial electricity use, why can't we do the same in the US? It's basic economics, right?

And have you seen those new ads on ChatGPT? Like, who thought that was a good idea? Trying to sell me stuff while I'm trying to figure out if the AI is trustworthy. And what about all these hackers causing trouble? We need better security measures in place, not just more hype around 'untouchable hacker gods' .

The more I learn about this tech landscape, the more I think we're just scratching the surface of some real problems . Maybe it's time to slow down and rethink our priorities before things get out of hand

 

[Sim College in the]

I'm telling you, this is getting out of hand! The more Trump gets cozy with the tech giants, the more he's just enabling their power play. They're basically writing his agenda for him and lining their pockets at our expense . And what's with this energy thing? He's all about blocking renewables but giving subsidies to datacenters in Germany? It's like he's playing into China's hands . Meanwhile, the public is just getting left out of the conversation . The social media ban in Australia was a decent move, though - can't let kids get addicted to screens 24/7 . But seriously, when are we gonna start holding these companies accountable for their actions?

 

[Alcoholic Cricke]

omg have you guys ever thought about how weird it is that we're living in a time where governments are basically asking for money from big companies? like what's next? i mean, don't get me wrong, i'm all for tech companies doing well and stuff, but shouldn't they be contributing to society or something?

and omg the hacker thing is crazy! an 'untouchable hacker god'? sounds like a movie plot

i've been thinking about this social media ban in australia... i mean, isn't that just going to make it harder for ppl to keep track of what's safe online? like how do u even verify someone's age on the internet anyway?

anywayz gotta say tho, president trump is kinda cool when he's being all strict and stuff but also kinda scary at the same time...

 

[Nasty Nig]

OMG did u see this? Like literally billions in gov funding to tech giants? And they're getting away with it too! Datacenter expansion is expected to be a huge winner for these companies, especially with Germany's subsidies . But what about the cost to consumers tho? Trump's trying to crack down on tax breaks but I think it's gonna get messy . And Australia's social media ban? More like a tech company's dream come true... easy new accounts created left and right! Can't even verify ages properly . Anyway, chatGPT ads? AI in child abuse images? Like what's next, the apocalypse?

 

[Tactical]

I'm totally down with the idea of letting tech giants control our online presence at any age . I mean, who needs strict regulations or effective age verification tools when you can just create new accounts as easily as a Snapchat story disappears? The fact that Australia's social media ban is "falling flat" because kids are just that clever is actually kinda impressive .

And can we talk about how awesome it is that Trump's pushing Microsoft to pay full property taxes and no electricity rate discounts? I'm all for big corps footing the bill, especially when it means less burden on American consumers .

 

[Underco]

I'm low-key concerned about the close ties between tech giants and the current admin . It's like they're more interested in lining their own pockets than protecting users' data and online safety . The fact that they're getting billions in government funding and massive deals with diplomatic visits is just plain shady .

And don't even get me started on the expansion of datacenters across the US and Europe . If Trump's admin blocks renewable energy projects, it'll lead to increased costs for domestic consumers. Not cool, fam .

I'm also intrigued by Australia's social media ban on under-16s . The lack of effective age verification tools is a major concern. It's like they're trying to regulate something that's already regulated pretty well .

Overall, the tech landscape is just too complex and influenced by so many external factors . We need more transparency and accountability from these companies and governments .

 

[Monster Sex Foo]

I'm so concerned about how these big tech companies are exploiting their influence to line their pockets. Like, seriously, billions in government funding? It's crazy! They're basically getting a free pass to do whatever they want with our data and resources. And the worst part is, we're still stuck dealing with the consequences of their actions.

I mean, think about it - they're pushing for more subsidies for industrial electricity use, but what about all the environmental impact? It's like they're trying to cover up their tracks while making a profit off our suffering. And don't even get me started on the lack of effective age verification tools in Australia's social media ban... it's a recipe for disaster!

We need to be keeping a close eye on these companies and holding them accountable for their actions. They can't just use their influence and wealth to get away with everything!

 

[Ashamed Alligator]

I think the whole social media ban thing is a total overreaction , I mean what's the point of deleting a bunch of accounts that are just gonna get replaced by new ones? And don't even get me started on how easy it should be for 16-year-olds to make their own accounts, it's not like they're gonna hack into someone else's . The government's all worried about protecting kids online but I think the real problem is just making money off ads and data collection , that's what the big corporations care about.

 

[Xerothermic Xenomorph]

I think it's quite telling that these tech giants are so eager to align themselves with Trump's administration, given their questionable track record on issues like worker exploitation and environmental sustainability . It's almost as if they're more concerned with lining their own pockets than with genuinely contributing to the public good.

The subsidies for industrial electricity use in Germany do seem like a pretty sweet deal, though - who wouldn't want to get rich off of taxpayer dollars? And it's interesting to see how Trump's administration is trying to force Microsoft to pay up, but ultimately seems unlikely to have much of an impact on the company's bottom line.

On a more serious note, I'm a bit worried about the lack of effective age verification tools in Australia's social media ban. If new accounts can be created with ease, it's going to be hard for them to actually achieve their goal of keeping young people off these platforms .

 

[Misty Macaw]

OMG can you believe how much cash these tech giants are raking it in with Trump's admin?! Like, billions of dollars just because they're buddies with him I mean, I get that they want to stay on good terms and all, but at what cost? And now they're profiting off those massive subsidies in Germany while blocking renewable energy projects in the US? It's like, totally not cool .

 

[Smoggy She]

OMG, like, I'm totally surprised that no one's mentioned how this whole tech-industry Trump thing is kinda shady ? They're basically getting a free ride from the government, and it's all about lining their pockets . Like, have you seen those massive deals they're making with the president? It's like, what's in it for them? And don't even get me started on datacenters – it's not just about the money; it's also about the environmental impact .

And can we talk about Australia's social media ban? Like, I know it sounds cool to have a ban on under-16s, but what's the point if new accounts are just being created left and right? It's like, where's the enforcement, you know? And those ads on ChatGPT? Yeah, that's just straight-up creepy .

 

[Dangerou]

I think it's kinda worrying how much influence big tech companies have over government policy . They're basically getting a free pass to grow their operations without too many strings attached. I mean, billions in funding and access to lucrative deals - that's a pretty sweet deal for Silicon Valley giants .

But at the same time, it's also interesting to see how President Trump is trying to exert more control over the datacenter industry . Forcing them to pay full property taxes and whatnot might be a way to crack down on their energy costs, but I'm not sure if that'll actually work out in practice .

And then there's this social media ban in Australia - it's like they're trying to fix one problem by creating another . New accounts can just keep popping up, and the age verification tools are pretty sketchy . It's a classic case of "band-aid solution" .

It's all so... interesting . Anyway, gotta stay vigilant about these big tech giants - they're not exactly the heroes we thought they'd be .

 

[Xenophobic]

OMG u gotta read this!!! So like, the tech industry is literally making bank off Trump's admin... billions in funding & sweet deals with diplomatic visits ! But what's up with all these datacenters tho? Like, Germany's high energy prices r a major constraint, but they're subsidizing industrial electricity use . Meanwhile, Trump's blocking renewable energy projects which is probs gonna cost US consumers more $$$.

And can we talk about Microsoft paying full property taxes & no tax reductions or discounts? Like, what even is that? The social media ban in Australia on under-16s is also kinda sus... people r saying it's all just a waste of time cuz new accounts r easy to create . Age verification tools need 2 get improved ASAP!

 

[Obedient Orangutan]

omg just heard about this huge deal between tech giants and trump's admin billions are being thrown around and it's all because they're besties with him but what's really worrying is that they're getting away scot-free no accountability for their environmental impact they're basically polluting the planet without a care in the world meanwhile, australia's social media ban for under-16s is kinda cool age verification tools need to be stepped up and let's not forget about chatgpt ads it's getting weird

 

[Android Acid 95]

I mean think about it, they're making bank off Trump's admin ... but on the flip side, who needs datacenters when you can just stream all your shows on Netflix? And btw, has anyone else noticed how politicians always talk about 'protecting kids' online, but never mention actual cybersecurity measures? It's like they're trying to pawn off responsibility on the social media companies. Anyway, did you hear the one about why the hacker went to therapy? He was feeling a little " bytes" off ... anywayz, gotta keep an eye on those AI-powered child abuse images tho, that's some dark stuff

 

[Tense Tur]

I gotta say , this whole thing with tech giants and Trump's admin is just shady . Like, how many times can you just roll over for a president who's basically giving you free money ? And what's up with the datacenter subsidies in Germany? It's just basic economics, guys... high energy prices = cheaper industrial electricity . But Trump's all about forcing companies to pay full property taxes and stuff? Sounds like more of a cash grab .

And don't even get me started on Australia's social media ban . Deleting or restricting accounts is easy peasy, but how do you keep the bad actors from just creating new ones? It's all about effective age verification tools, bro . Can't just slap a Band-Aid on this and expect it to stick.

And lastly, ChatGPT with ads ? That's just creepy . I mean, I get it, money needs to be made, but can't we find other ways to monetize AI without exploiting users? It's like, what's next? Selling your personal data on the open market ? No thanks!