2025: Big Tech, AI and Browsers

Bruce's victim this time is Harry Godfrey, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Little Tech Association. Harry and Bruce talk about who’s actually representing startups in Washington, and who claims to represent them while actually serving Big Tech’s interests. They get into how incumbents use market power to shut out competitors, why Harry sees smart, targeted regulation as the thing that keeps markets open rather than the opposite, and what the antitrust breakups of Microsoft, AT&T and Standard Oil may suggest about the moment tech is in now with AI.Show notes:Little Tech AssociationAndy Yen on For a Better WebPatricia Egger (Proton security) on For a Better WebGene Burrus on For a Better WebUS vs MicrosoftUS vs AppleHow George Harrison – and a very naughty boy – saved British cinemaChapters:(0:00) Intro: meet Harry Godfrey(0:42) What is the Little Tech Association?(1:19) Lobbyist or advocate?(1:54) Vivaldi's ties to LTA(2:26) Three types of tech lobbies(5:24) Why Big Tech funds fake groups(6:40) Defining "little" and "tech"(8:39) What unites LTA's 240+ members(11:56) Capitalist to its core(14:23) Who doesn't get to join LTA(18:44) LTA's founding members(23:06) Regulation: pro-growth or not?(28:38) Harry's path: clean tech to LTA(33:48) AI's dorm-room moment(34:37) How antitrust built Google(37:19) George Harrison or Harrison Ford?(38:03) Wrap-up

This podcast series follows Bruce as he interviews people from across different communities and industries who, in their own way, are fighting for a better web.Bruce's victim this time is Alex Moore, co-founder of Open Web Advocacy. We discuss why web apps still barely work on the iPhone, the rule that forces every browser on iOS to run on Apple's engine and quietly limits what web apps can do, and the five year regulatory fight, spanning the UK, EU, Japan, the US and Australia, to change that. Alex also walks through the moment Apple tried to kill web apps across the EU entirely, and why he thinks Apple's privacy and security arguments don't hold up.Chapters: 00:00 Introducing Alex Moore01:31 What Open Web Advocacy does02:49 The founders and volunteers behind OWA04:31 Apple's attempted EU web app ban09:40 Why Alex took on this fight10:17 The coffee shop job that started it all12:28 Tweeting at WebKit and getting ignored14:08 Turning to regulators instead of Apple16:18 Every regulator OWA has approached18:10 Is this just an anti-Apple crusade?20:54 Why no other OS blocks browsers like iOS23:35 Why does 10% of phones matter?26:06 How interoperability makes or breaks apps28:20 The real cost of Apple's 30% cut29:55 Is Apple really more secure and private?38:33 A day in the life of a web advocate41:42 Are they going to win?44:11 Closing thoughts and how to get involvedShow notes:Open Web Advocacy Alex Moore PWA open letter Apple rule 2.5 (the WebKit restriction) Stuart Langridge Japanese "Smartphone Act" (PDF) WebAPK minting How Russian firms get their apps into App Store despite sanctions "A plastic butter knife to a gunfight" Loupe app Apple says Safari's browser engine sandbox for orders of magnitude more secure than that for native apps [PDF] Fraudulent app attempting to impersonate our LastPass app on the Apple App Store Russell Crowe

In this podcast series, Bruce interviews people from across different communities and industries who, in their own way, are fighting for a better web. In this episode, Bruce’s victim is Wolfgang Oels, Chief Operating Officer of Ecosia, We discuss the importance of Digital Sovereignty, the European Search Perspective –the new European search index that Ecosia co-founded– and Wolfgang’s so-crazy-it-just-might-work scheme to buy Chromium for 1 Euro, and save the planet as a result.#Vivaldi #ForABetterWeb #ecosia #searchengine #europian #TechPodcast

In this episode, Bruce’s victims are Sebastian Snell and Chris Ristovski, co-founders of Sidephone, a newly-released device that is intentionally not smart, but also not completely dumb, so you can put real life first.The conversation covers how modern smartphones evolved into consumption-first devices, the philosophy behind Sidephone’s “real life first” approach, and how intentional hardware design can encourage healthier relationships with technology. Chris and Sebastian also discuss balancing simplicity with modern functionality, building outside Big Tech ecosystems using AOSP, the challenges surrounding RCS and platform gatekeeping, and why openness, experimentation, and greater device variety matter for the future of technology.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by modern smartphones or miss technology that feels more human, this episode is for you. Listen now, rethink your relationship with your devices, and discover a healthier, more intentional way to connect with the web.Show notes:Sidephone - https://sidephone.comRich Communication Services (RCS) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Communication_Services#Sidephone #Vivaldi #ForABetterWeb #Dumbphone #Minimalism #DigitalWellbeing #AOSP #Android #TechPodcast

In this episode, Bruce meets with Patricia Egger a.k.a. the Goddess of Security at Proton, for an insightful conversation about privacy, encryption, and what it truly means to build a safer and better web. The conversation covers the security mindset, the real risks behind AI and “shadow AI,” how small vulnerabilities can escalate into major breaches, and why email and password management are critical foundations of digital security. Patricia also shares practical advice on helping non-technical users improve their privacy, emphasising that progress matters more than perfection.If you care about protecting your digital life, or want to help friends and family do the same, this episode is for you. Listen now, rethink your security habits, and take your first step toward a more private web.------------------Show notes:Proton - https://proton.meAnother episode with Andy Yen from Proton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndlCMGxLQ38&pp=0gcJCaIKAYcqIYzvProton VPN on Vivaldi - https://vivaldi.com/protonvpn/

Jón and Bruce reflect on the year in tech - what happened with browser choice, Big Tech's grip on the market, AI everywhere, and why they think independent browsers matter. They also share their favorite Vivaldi features and why browsers should work for you, not the other way around.Show notes:Ten years of making new friends by building a browser for you, not Big TechJon von Tetzchner – For a Better Web 2024 reviewApple Opens iOS to Developers in JapanY Combinator urges the White House to support Europe’s Digital Markets ActVivaldi takes a stand: keep browsing human“A.I.” browsers: the price of admission is too high Parliament must buy European IT, lawmakers tell Metsola

Bruce chats with Andy Yen, founder and CEO of Proton, about what it’s like for a European company to take on Big Tech. Andy shares his journey from leaving CERN as a particle physicist to building one of the most trusted privacy-focused companies in the world.He breaks down the lies behind VPN marketing, why most companies can't be trusted, and how Apple and Google's 30 percent tax inflates your bills. He also explains Europe’s trillion-dollar tech mistake.From VPN myths to Swiss privacy laws, European tech independence, antitrust politics, and Proton’s plan to tackle tariffs and Big Tech taxes, this episode is an umbrella drink filled to the brim with hot topics you’ll want to sip all summer long.------------------Show notes:Proton on X/TwitterDH Lawrence's Relativity poemSimon Migliano, Top10VPNProton FoundationSwiss ordinanceProton threatens to quit Switzerland over new surveillance lawGail Slater, The Woman Leading the Surging MAGA Antitrust MovementA judge just blew up Apple's control of the App StoreEuroStackThe First Three MinutesDouble Hidden Charm Tetraquark

In this episode, Bruce chats with Gene Burrus, who formerly worked as Assistant General Counsel for Microsoft, working on legal compliance after the landmark Netscape anti-trust case, and now advises Vivaldi and others in the Browser Choice Alliance about how to stop Microsoft going back to its old ways. On the way, we discuss the Cold War, TV courtroom dramas, and why Gene prefers to be poacher-turned-gamekeeper.------------Show notes: Burrus Competition StrategiesGene on LinkedInBrowser Choice AllianceUnited States v. Microsoft Corp ("Netscape case")Vivaldi’s Open Letter — Microsoft DMA ComplianceMicrosoft Edge pseudo-protocolCommission finds Apple and Meta in breach of the Digital Markets ActVivaldi’s statement on Apple and Meta DMA anti-trust finesBruce Sewell, Former General Counsel of Apple Interviewed"Competition is what will ensure that Apple’s conduct and business decisions do not thwart the next Apple" from DOJ and States vs Apple"Objection, your honor!"

Bruce chats with Miriam Suzanne, a CSS expert and independent contributor to the CSS Working Group, to talk about all things CSS. They geek out over the latest and greatest features like Cascade Layers, Scope, Mixins, and Container Queries, exploring how these features impact web design.Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at what’s next for web development and some insider stories from the CSS Working Group.You can support Miriam's independent contibutions at: Oddbird open source----Show notes: Miriam's websiteMiriam on Mastodon: @[email protected] Miriam's work website OddbirdCascading HTML style sheets - (original proposal) CSS Container Queries spec CSS Mixins and Functions spec Cascade Layers spec @Scope spec (Working Draft)Choosing a Masonry Syntax in CSSTech continues to be political

In this episode, Bruce talks with Jan Penfrat from European Digital Rights (EDRi) about the importance of defending digital rights as human rights in an increasingly digital world. We chat about EDRi's work advocating for these rights within the EU, the challenges they face against Big Tech lobbying, and key battles surrounding privacy, surveillance, and the power of tech companies. Learn about how EDRi is working to ensure a better, more rights-respecting web for everyone.Show notes:EDRiJan on MastodonEDRI’s open letter to the EUWhy EDRi is leaving XChanges at the CMAChaos Computer Club: Ban tracking and personalised advertisingAlbert Speer’s Nuremberg testimonyJan’s bike blog