Unveiling “Digital Trade” Threats to Tech Oversight

The largest online platforms like Google, Amazon, and Meta and their myriad lobbying associations and front groups have lobbied to capture trade negotiations to insert binding terms in trade agreements that thwart countries’ online privacy, competition, artificial intelligence, right to repair, civil rights, and other policies. The companies’ goals are to lock in their monopoly power and preempt efforts to regulate AI and the digital economy in the public interest now underway worldwide.

Because trade negotiations are secretive and technical, and countries must conform their domestic policies to trade-pact rules, special interests are pushing this international preemption strategy in dozens of “digital trade,” “e-commerce,” or “digital economy” agreements now being negotiated. Policymakers, smaller businesses, civil society, and the public at large have caught on and are weighing in to preserve the policy space necessary to ensure fair competition, privacy, labor and civil rights online and AI safeguards.

Rethink Trade provides expert analysis through reports, policy briefs, and events to educate the public and policymakers to promote a fair digital future.