Big Tech Compliance Tracker: US Trade Rep Says Digital Taxes Discriminate Against US Firms; Facebook Removes ‘Likes’ From ‘Pages’

Here’s the latest news from the technology industry, which is coming under increasing global scrutiny from governments around the world.

US Trade Representative: India, Italy, Turkey Digital Taxes Discriminates Against US Firms

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) recently released the results of Section 301 probes of digital services taxes (DSTs) that Turkey, Italy and India have adopted, finding that each tax “discriminates against U.S. companies, is inconsistent with prevailing principles of international taxation, and burden or restricts U.S. commerce,” according to a press release.

The USTR said it is “not taking any specific actions in connection with the findings at this time but will continue to evaluate all available options,” according to the release. The office noted that the findings on all of the taxes are backed up by in-depth reports that were being published on its website.

US Trade Representative Halts Plan To Tax $1.3 Billion Of French Products

The USTR is suspending an initiative to tax $1.3 billion of French merchandise in response to France’s revenue tax on Big Tech firms. The 25 percent tariffs were scheduled to become effective at midnight on Jan. 6 and would have affected products such as makeup, handbags and soap.

“The [USTR] has decided to suspend the tariffs in light of the ongoing investigation of similar DSTs adopted or under consideration in ten other jurisdictions.  Those investigations have significantly progressed, but have not yet reached a determination on possible trade actions,” the office said in a statement.

Facebook Update To ‘Pages’ Removes ‘Likes’

Facebook is launching a revamped Facebook Pages experience that makes it easier for public figures and makers to “build community and achieve their business objectives,” according to a post written by Head of Public Connections and Monetization Asad Awan.

The social media platform is taking away “Likes” and putting the emphasis on “Followers” to streamline the method through which individuals link up their favorite “Pages.” Awan wrote in the post, “Unlike Likes, Followers of a Page represent the people who can receive updates from Pages, which helps give public figures a stronger indication of their fan base.”

The company has also introduced new Page management functions such as the ability to more clearly delegate and supervise admin access permissions based on certain functions. Moreover, Pages can now “discover and join conversations, follow trends, interact with peers and engage with fans,” according to Awan.

Amazon Relaxes Goals For Seller Fulfilled Prime Merchants

Because of the continuing pandemic pressures on large delivery companies, Amazon is relaxing the burden on merchants that both prepare and mail orders, CNBC reported. The firm said it was easing the delivery speed goals for Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) members due to “constraints on the logistics industry” brought on by COVID-19, CNBC reported, citing a note to merchants.

Amazon noted in August 2020 that SFP members would need to provide Saturday deliveries and satisfy two-day and one-day delivery goals beginning in February of this year. The SFP program lets merchants have their merchandise qualify for two-day shipping and show the Prime badge on their inventory sans paying for Fulfillment By Amazon.

China’s Internet Regulator Considers More Stringent Oversight

The Cyberspace Administration of China is mulling an update of internet oversight rules, regulations that have not been revised in over two decades. The regulator is looking for input from the public until Feb. 7 in terms of how the regulations should be updated to result in more oversight for livestreams, online shopping and digital payments.