US housing woes will hit ‘big tech’ expansion

Subject

Political hurdles to 'big tech' expansion plans.

Significance

The 2020 presidential election is pushing discussions of social media disinformation, ‘big tech’ monopoly and the high cost of housing in several cities, often seen to be worsened by technology workers. These issues are hurting the image of large technology firms, and will affect their expansion plans.

Impacts

• The 2020 elections will intensify political scrutiny of big tech’s control over news distribution.
• Organised labour may be able to leverage tech expansions into unionisation of property services and other support staff.
• Growing tech clusters in small western states could enable Democratic candidates to compete in statewide races.