France’s Macron takes on internet giants in tech push
The president welcomed leaders of dozens of tech companies at a conference meant to address how they could use their influence for the public good.
French President Emmanuel Macron has taken on Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and other internet giants at a Paris meeting to discuss personal data protection and taxes as France pushes for tougher European regulations.
Mr Macron welcomed Mr Zuckerberg and the leaders of dozens of other tech companies, including Microsoft, Uber and IBM, at a Tech for Good conference meant to address how they could use their global influence for the public good.
The meeting came as Facebook, Google and other online giants are increasingly seen by the public as predators that abuse personal data, avoid taxes and stifle competition.
Mr Macron, ahead of their meeting at the Elysee Palace, said he planned to keep asking Mr Zuckerberg to make “commitments”.
He also wants new regulations to combat extremist propaganda online and cyber-bullying.
Privacy was another issue Mr Macron was raising with Mr Zuckerberg and the other tech executives in one-on-one meetings and a mass lunch in the presidential palace with philanthropists and politicians.
Mr Zuckerberg came to Paris after facing tough questions on Tuesday from European Union politicians in Brussels, where he apologised for the way the social network has been used to produce fake news and interfere in elections.
Facebook “didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibilities”, he said, adding: “That was a mistake, and I’m sorry for it.”
But Mr Zuckerberg also frustrated the politicians as the testimony’s set-up allowed him to respond to a list of questions as he saw fit.
France’s youngest president, Mr Macron has championed start-ups and aggressively wooed technology investors.
But Mr Macron is also one of Europe’s most vocal critics of tax schemes used by companies such as Facebook that deprive governments of billions of euros a year in potential revenue.
And Mr Macron has defended an aggressive new European data protection law that comes into effect this week.
The so-called GDPR regulation will give Europeans more control over what companies can do with what they post, search and click.
Several companies took advantage of the meeting to announce new initiatives.
Microsoft said it would extend the new European data protection law to its clients worldwide.
Google committed 100 million dollars over the next five years to support non-profit projects such as training in digital technologies.
Uber said it will finance insurance to better protect its European drivers in case of accidents at work, serious illness, hospitalisation and maternity leave.
And IBM announced the creation of 1,400 new jobs by 2020 in France.
Mr Macron, Mr Zuckerberg and others are expected to attend the Vivatech gadget show in Paris on Thursday.
