Tech Policy Podcast

Geoff Manne, a legal and economic scholar, joins to dissect Judge Boasberg's recent ruling on the FTC's antitrust case against Meta. They humorously navigate the absurdities of antitrust arguments, highlighting how user demand shapes market definitions. Geoff explains that increased ads can indicate better targeting rather than monopolistic practices. They critique the FTC's market definitions and explore why including competitors like TikTok and YouTube undermines claims of Meta's monopoly. The conversation mixes legal analysis with sharp insights into modern tech markets.

Ari Cohn, lead counsel for tech policy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, dives into alarming trends surrounding free speech under the Trump administration. He discusses law firms pressured by the government, questioning their ethical integrity. Cohn labels the administration's treatment of political opponents as potentially terroristic. The conversation also touches on pressure from the FCC on media outlets and the chilling effects on universities and international students. Cohn predicts a worrying future for free speech amidst rising censorship.

Ash Kazarian, a Senior legal fellow at the Future of Free Speech and former host, returns with insights on algorithms and Section 230. She argues that algorithms should be seen as tools rather than harmful entities. The conversation critiques the alarming court case Anderson v. TikTok and highlights the essential role of Section 230 in protecting online speech. Ash emphasizes the importance of transparency and education in tech, while also warning against the consequences of repealing protections that could stifle free expression.

Sri Muppidi (The Information) discusses OpenAI’s effort to overhaul its corporate structure—and the resulting power struggle over the company’s future.Links:OpenAI Says Its Business Will Burn $115 Billion Through 2029 OpenAI Executives Rattled by Campaigns to Derail For-Profit Restructuring OpenAI Says Nonprofit Parent Will Own Equity Stake in Company of Over $100 Billion 

Jeremy Neufeld (Institute for Progress) discusses how our immigration system works, why high-skilled immigrants are so important to the tech sector, what’s wrong with the Trump administration’s H-1B reforms, why America is so complacent about competing for global talent, and more.Links: Trump’s H-1B Changes Won’t WorkTalent Recruitment Roulette: Replacing the H-1B Lottery | IFPThe Talent Scout State | IFPTech Policy Podcast 317: Making Progress

Adam Kovacevich (Chamber of Progress) discusses the populist / anti-tech turn in politics, and what can be done about it.Topics include:How did we get here?Tech optimists: There are dozens of us!Beware ThE gROupSIf there’s a crisis, maybe act like it?Duct tape and bubble gumThe great relearningWe’re so doomedWe’re so not doomedLinks:Tech Policy Podcast 403: The Constitutional CrisisTech Policy Podcast 388: The Abundance AgendaTech Policy Podcast 355: Conservative FuturismTech Policy Podcast 301: The Realignment

Ari Cohn, Lead Counsel for Tech Policy at FIRE, and Tom Kurland, Partner at Patterson Belknap, dive into the hot topic of product liability lawsuits against social media and AI companies. They explore the intricacies of tort law and how mass production complicates legal accountability. Discussion points include the misconception of social media addiction and the responsibilities of AI developers in this evolving landscape. Their insights challenge the legal frameworks around digital speech and the implications of algorithmic recommendations.

Host Corbin Barthold (TechFreedom) discusses why Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton is wrong, how it muddies First Amendment law, and how it is already causing wider harm.Topics include:FSC v. Paxton: a result-oriented rulingA credulous courtPoRn iS sCArYAshcroft v. ACLU is sitting right there!tEcH Is ScARyRIP First Amendment 101The porn-to-social media litigation pipeline States cite FSC v. Paxton 1,000 timesLinks:Tech Policy Podcast 373: Porn and the First Amendment

Shoshana Weissmann (R Street) discusses the disastrous Online Safety Act, the growth of censorship in the UK, and more.Topics include:Protect the children, they said . . .The SpongeBob videos must stopSolve problems? Or just shut people up?How dare you comply with our law!Age verification in practicePeter Kyle: polite demagogueLet’s kill KOSAUK: global speech police?“Rights”: you keep using that word . . .Links:U.K.’s Online Safety Act Censors the Internet—A Preview of U.S. ProposalsTech Policy Podcast 405: No, Internet Age Verification Has Not Been “Solved”Tech Policy Podcast 404: The Worst Possible Moment to Break EncryptionTech Policy Podcast 356: The UK Targets End-to-End EncryptionTech Policy Podcast 354: Online Age Verification (Sucks)

From November 8, 2020 (Episode 279): Billy Easley sits down with former host Ashkhen Kazaryan. They remind us of the value of the free and open Internet.Links:Revising the Law That Lets Platforms Moderate Content Will Silence Marginalized VoicesFree Speech and Tech Policy at the US Supreme Court, 2025 (AEI Event)