New UK watchdog set to curb Big Tech’s hold over news media

Fight between Australia and Facebook over new law forcing tech platforms to pay local news outlets highlights issue.

The United Kingdom’s new regulator for technology giants Facebook and Google launches on Wednesday with an initial remit to see if a code of conduct could improve the balance of power between the platforms and news publishers. The government established the Digital Markets Unit (DMU) – part of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) – to stop big technology companies abusing their market dominance after the competition regulator said existing rules were not enough. The power and reach of Big Tech have grown faster than many governments’ ability to keep them in check.