Big tech is brought to heel - Google fined €4.34bn by EU

First there were the American railroad tycoons. Then came Big Oil, followed by Big Auto, Big Tobacco and Big Pharma.

The 21st century equivalent is Big Tech, global internet companies that dwarf the others and possess so much money and clout that they appear untouchable.

That may be about the change.

The European Commission has fined Google €4.34bn for breaching EU competition rules and for abusing its dominant position in relation to its Android mobile devices.

The fine represents little more than two weeks of revenue for Google, yet it is, at least, a shot across the bows of one of the most powerful monopolies in the history of humanity.

What may be more effective in curbing the worst aspects of Big Tech is the example shown by Retail Excellence, Ireland’s largest retail representative body. It has suspended its partnership with Facebook following the exposé by Channel 4 of horrifying practices on its online platform.

Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Apple have an unprecedented ability to shape how we think, how we filter the world, absorb culture and the way we consume politics.

From the moment we rise to when we rest our heads, we are subject to data addiction.

It took 50 years for people to realise the dangers of smoking. The same with processed food’s contribution to obesity. We cannot wait 50 years to reign in Big Tech.