The European Union is implementing numerous applications and rules to advertise digital innovation and improve competitiveness. Among these is the Digital Europe Program, launched with a price range of seven.5 billion euros ($8.10 billion) for the 2021-2027 interval.
The initiative goals to assist the EU obtain digital independence and focuses on investing in superior applied sciences, guaranteeing accessibility for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and selling digital innovation.
Many enterprises in Türkiye using synthetic intelligence know-how throughout numerous sectors, comparable to training, finance, well being care and power, may gain advantage from these funds.
However, for Türkiye to completely faucet into these alternatives, it must climb increased within the Digital Competitiveness Index, which may additionally assist it higher safeguard its startups in opposition to information monopolies.
Ranked 52nd out of 63 international locations, Türkiye’s place signifies room for progress in digital competitiveness.
Moreover, dependence on AI and related threats are quickly rising. It is essential to keep away from isolation within the competitors in opposition to main firms which have turn into the most important holders of our digital privateness.
Data monopolies forestall honest competitors
Attorney and competitors regulation skilled Mert Karamustaoğlu underscores the significance of addressing digital market monopolies.
Karamustaoğlu highlights the EU’s efforts by the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) to make sure equity and competitors in digital markets.
“The core issue lies in the heavy reliance on data-driven business models in digital markets. This often leads to companies operating platforms gaining significant control over data. Such dominance tends to exclude rival companies or newcomers, making it challenging for them to compete in the market. Occasionally, this situation results in the exploitation of consumers as well,” he defined.
Karamustaoğlu mentioned established corporations in digital markets turn into so highly effective that scale economies make it virtually unimaginable for different companies to enter.
“In competition law, this is referred to as market entry barriers. In such markets, the company that enters first becomes a pioneer and strengthens its position as an ‘incumbent provider’ and eventually dominates and turns into a monopolistic power. Once this monopolistic power is acquired, especially in markets involving new technologies, the consequences include higher prices, exclusion of competitors, exploitation of consumers and diminished quality. Ultimately, this stifles competition in the market, hindering innovation and investment,” he famous.
Process in EU
In latest years, Türkiye has lagged behind key hubs just like the European Union in implementing sure rules, in keeping with Karamustaoğlu.
“The EU is undergoing a new wave of regulation with initiatives such as the Artificial Intelligence Act, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA). Over the last decade, a process has emerged in the EU that has profoundly altered the operations of technology companies. To this end, new regulations have been enacted in the EU,” he mentioned.
However, he says Türkiye stays considerably behind. “The Competition Authority and the Ministry of Trade are particularly focused on e-commerce and platforms. While the Competition Authority makes rulings, the ministry is addressing the matter through laws and related regulations concerning electronic commerce,” he added.
According to Karamustaoğlu, there are numerous features that must be examined on this space.
“Regulations must be tailored to Türkiye’s socio-economic conditions and aligned with its strategic goals, but EU practices should not be overlooked. Considering that many global giants operate in Türkiye, there is an urgent need for a new regulatory initiative in digital markets and services, much like in the EU,” he mentioned.
“In the era of the global digital economy, competition law in technology markets is almost like a storm sweeping through. Major corporations such as Google, Meta and Apple, which we are all familiar with, are undergoing significant scrutiny under competition law investigations in regions like the EU and the United States.”
Importance of holistic insurance policies
Enhancing digital competitors is predicted to unlock funding alternatives for startups. It’s essential to undertake a holistic method regarding information safety, cybersecurity, synthetic intelligence and information facilities.
Dependency on the services and products of tech giants like Google, Meta and Apple has already grown. Today, with the appearance of synthetic intelligence and platforms like OpenAI, new dependencies and monopolies are rising, and delayed motion poses dangers.
The European Union has set an instance with its decade-long battle in opposition to information know-how giants. Swift adaptation is now important.
With the enforcement of legal guidelines and rules, information giants shall be compelled to implement extra severe measures, aligning with EU requirements in areas like funding and transparency inside Türkiye. Establishing digital competitors will pave the best way for investments and, consequently, foster the expansion of know-how startups.
Hidden value of free digital companies: Your privateness
The digital world has turn into a stage for an unseen transaction. The e-mail platforms, messaging apps, video-sharing companies, and social media platforms we entry totally free are reworking our private information into income. What looks like “free” comes at a price – our digital privateness.
Digital privateness encompasses the safety of our on-line identities, private info, messages, actions and preferences. The platforms we belief – e-mail companies, picture and video-sharing apps, messaging instruments – characterize corporations the place we primarily “pawn” our privateness. This consists of the very essence of our non-public lives on-line.
Unfortunately, digital privateness is constantly compromised by social media giants, engines like google, e-commerce websites, and even synthetic intelligence assistants. From the functions we use and the web sites we go to to the messages we write and the placement histories we go away behind – every thing is collected, analyzed and utilized for business or political achieve.
Tech giants like Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and OpenAI justify their information utilization by claiming to ship improved companies. Without establishments comparable to authorities businesses or entities just like the European Union taking a stand, civic stress to counter these profit-driven firms appears practically unimaginable.
Irretrievable information
The huge quantities of information collected by tech corporations have turn into just about irreversible. For occasion:
If you employ Gmail, YouTube or Google Search, your search historical past, emails and monitoring preferences are saved by Google.
On platforms like Facebook and Instagram, your pictures, messages and pursuits are processed by Meta.
Shopping with Amazon or utilizing Apple gadgets means your buying habits, well being information and monetary information are analyzed.
Even interactions with AI platforms like OpenAI are used to coach their fashions with the questions and messages you present.
Why is digital privateness in danger?
- Tech giants like Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple observe practically each transfer we make.
- “Free” companies monetize our information by promoting it to promoting corporations.
- Governments could monitor their residents by authorized or unlawful means.
- Hackers and cybercriminals steal private information, facilitating identification theft.
Global ambitions? Türk Telekom Ventures has startups coated
TT Ventures, a enterprise capital arm of Türk Telekom, one in all Türkiye’s main telecommunications and know-how corporations, gives vital help to startups embarking on their international journey.
For over a decade, it has offered companies with key references, funding and acceleration applications like Pilot, fostering the expansion of modern initiatives.
As know-how startups globalize their options, they entice extra substantial funding alternatives. Türk Telekom, a pioneer in Türkiye’s digital transformation, actively helps modern startups, contributing to the formation of a digital future.
Pilot, the startup acceleration program led by Türk Telekom Ventures, continues to just accept functions for its new time period.
Through Pilot, startups achieve entry to workplace areas, technological infrastructure, communication help, mentorship from consultants and complete coaching alternatives. Moreover, program individuals can discover collaboration alternatives with Türk Telekom and join with an enormous investor community.
Complementary program
Muhammed Özhan, normal supervisor of Türk Telekom Ventures, emphasised this system’s significance, saying that the corporate has continued to create worth inside the entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting modern startups for greater than 10 years.
“As Türk Telekom’s venture capital arm, our Pilot program accelerates the growth of technology-driven startups and guides the digital future. Beyond investment and cash support, startups accepted into our program gain access to a specially designed complementary overseas initiative, leveraging Türk Telekom’s global network to enter international markets,” Özhan famous.
“Not only do we provide financial assistance, but we also foster growth through collaborations and mentorship. We’ve established co-working spaces such as SANTRAL in Tahtakale and the Türk Telekom Ventures Entrepreneurship Center at Atatürk Cultural Center. Additionally, our office in San Francisco serves as a vital link for startups aiming for global outreach. In this 13th term of Pilot, we remain committed to enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and helping startups compete on a global scale.”
Achievements of Pilot
Program individuals achieve funding alternatives and collaboration prospects with Türk Telekom, in addition to entry to varied sources like workplace areas, technological infrastructure, and communication help.
Furthermore, startups can take part in specialised abroad entrepreneurship applications, gaining invaluable expertise and alternatives to enter international markets by Türk Telekom’s intensive business connections.
Applications for the thirteenth time period of this system are open by the Türk Telekom Ventures Pilot web site (ttventures.com.tr).
In its 12 phrases, this system granted 121 startups a cumulative money help of TL 70 million ($1.84 million). Sixty-six of those went on to safe over $51 million in whole investments, enabling them to scale their companies considerably.
Source: www.dailysabah.com