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I help companies adopt AI tools that revolutionize their IT world—making IT reliable, efficient and accessible.

I have always been impressed by the striking parallels between historical events. Today's history lesson involves the East India Company and Google. The US government's current stance on breaking up Google can be seen as part of a broader effort to regulate and control the power of large tech companies. This is driven by concerns over monopolistic practices, data privacy issues, and these companies' influence on various aspects of society and the economy. The US government and Governments worldwide are concerned with ensuring fair competition and protecting consumers from potential abuses of power by these tech giants. The UK government had issues with the East India Company (possibly the world's 2nd richest company). The Dutch East India Company was worth the equivalent of $7.6TN, making it a contender for the richest ever). During the 18th and 19th centuries, the EIC was viewed as having too much power and being monopolistic. In addition, it had a standing army of 250,000 soldiers rivalling and surpassing many states. The East India Company was granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1600, which gave it a monopoly on trade between England and the East Indies. Over time, the company grew economically and politically powerful, effectively ruling large parts of India. The British government initially supported the company's activities, as they brought significant wealth and resources to Britain. However, as the company's power grew, so did concerns over its governance and the impact of its actions on both British and Indian societies. We miss a more sinister truth when we talk about the British conquering India. It was not the British government that seized India but a dangerously unregulated private company headquartered in London. It was managed in India by an unstable sociopath—Clive (Clive of India), who could be seen as Elon Musk's role model. By the mid-19th century, the British government had had enough and decided to privatise the company. The Government of India Act of 1858 dissolved the East India Company and transferred its powers and territories to the British Crown. I asked Microsoft's Copilot to assist with this post and comment on the parallels. According to Microsoft Copilot, the contexts and motivations differ. The US government's actions towards Google and the UK government's treatment of the East India Company involve regulating powerful entities. The US is focused on maintaining fair competition and protecting consumer rights in the digital age. In contrast, the UK's actions were driven by the need to address governance issues and retain control over its colonial territories. Hmm, I wouldn't be so certain about that MS Copilot! https://lnkd.in/eXmSHhnt #googlebreakup #history

Google threatened with break-up by US

Google threatened with break-up by US

bbc.co.uk

Alison Edward

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2mo

Interesting, EIC had so much influence yet so many have never heard of it now

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