IBM chief Ginni Rometty calls for greater regulation of consumer tech giants
IBM chief executive Ginni Rometty has launched an outspoken attack on ‘irresponsible’ consumer tech firms, arguing that they should be subject to enhanced regulation to hold them accountable for misinformation.
IBM chief Ginni Rometty calls for greater regulation of consumer tech giants
In prepared remarks addressing a gathering of the EU Commission in Brussels Rometty said: “In regulating tech, the government needs to focus on fixing the real problem. And that is the irresponsible handling of personal data by a few dominant consumer-facing platform companies. Addressing the weakest link – should not define the digital economy.
“On liability, new thinking is needed. Collectively, dominant online platforms have more power to shape public opinion than newspapers or the television ever had, yet they face very little regulation or liability.”
The robust call to action echoes a similar message championed by Apple boss Tim Cook and signals a new dividing line between in the battle for moral one-upmanship.
Though not named directly by Rometty in her salvo the likes of Facebook, Google and Amazon have all fallen foul of major scandals involving their handling of personal data.
Rometty previously penned an open letter to Donald Trump claiming that tech can bring America together.
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IBM is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States, with operations in over 170 countries.
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