In this MadTech Podcast episode, Aimee Newell Tarín is joined by Mat Broughton and Josh Rosen, president of Hotspex Media to discuss the latest in media, marketing and ad tech.
They examine what the future could look like for Google as pressure from the DOJ ramps up*, Australia's social media ban for under 16s and how it could affect other regions, as well as Amazon's new app which operates with lower prices and longer waits for shipping.
*This episode was recorded before the DOJ published its proposed remedies for Google's monopolistic practices. You can find an analysis of the proposed action here. Following the recording, Australia's social media ban has also been introduced.
DOJ Will Push Google to Sell Chrome to Break Search Monopoly (Bloomberg)
The US Department of Justice has decided to ask a judge to force Google to sell its Chrome browser. Following an August ruling that Google monopolised search, the DOJ may also seek measures addressing artificial intelligence and Google's Android system, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Australian parliamentary inquiry stops short of backing social media ban for under-16s (The Guardian)
The Australian Labour Government has been planning to introduce a social media ban for those under 16 years of age. However, an Australian parliamentary inquiry into the matter – tabled by the Senate on 18th November – has stopped short of recommending the ban. Instead, the inquiry’s recommendations include establishing a Digital Affairs Ministry with overarching responsibility for the coordination of regulation to address the challenges and risks presented by digital platforms, as well as supporting legislation to combat mis/disinformation.
Amazon launches Temu and Shein rival (BBC)
In a bid to compete with low-cost retail rivals Temu and Shein, Amazon has launched Haul, a new mobile-only app which caps the price of products on sale at USD$20 (£15.79). It said most products would cost less than half of the price cap. The app is currently only available to customers in the US. Like Temu and Shein, Haul’s business model operates with lower prices and longer waits for shipping.