All posts filed under: SvD Näringsliv

Analysis pieces written for the Swedish Daily, SvD Näringsliv – https://www.svd.se

The situation for Apple resembles a two-front war

December 26, 2020
by Björn Jeffery
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SvD Näringsliv

This analysis was first published in SvD Näringsliv, in Swedish, on December 18th, 2020. “We’re standing up to Apple for small business everywhere.” That is what Facebook wrote in a series of full-page ads in American newspapers this week. The situation for Apple is now beginning to resemble a two-front war when both Silicon Valley and the media world attack from different directions. In recent years, Apple has taken an increasingly clear stance on transparent data […]

Dylan has millions of reasons to thank Spotify

December 26, 2020
by Björn Jeffery
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SvD Näringsliv

This analysis was first published in SvD Näringsliv, in Swedish, on December 9th, 2020. Artists often complain about the payouts from Spotify – but this week Bob Dylan had reason to thank them instead. Spotify has boosted the value of his song catalogue, which has been sold for around $300 million. During the early 2000s, the music industry looked rather gloomy. They had major problems with illegal downloads, and record sales went downhill. From 1999 to […]

Acquired for $27 billion – but Slack loses out

December 26, 2020
by Björn Jeffery
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SvD Näringsliv

This analysis was first published in SvD Näringsliv, in Swedish, on December 2nd, 2020. $27.7 billion may sound expensive. But it is not the buyer Salesforce who pays the really high price in this deal – it is the seller, Slack. It is notoriously difficult to sell enterprise IT to large companies. The sales processes are long, the agreements are large, and the integrations are complex. The communication tool Slack has experienced this in recent years. […]

Apps are abused – and it’s their own fault

December 13, 2020
by Björn Jeffery
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SvD Näringsliv

This analysis was first published in SvD Näringsliv, in Swedish, on November 29, 2020. SvD’s exposé of the app companies shows how difficult it is to prevent and catch those who exploit children. But the fact that the technology is used in a way that was not intended is no excuse. Instead, it should be the starting point for a larger process of self-criticism. “We can do better,” say Facebook and Twitter. “We have tightened security,” […]

Here’s the Trump fans’ new favorite app – without “censorship”

December 13, 2020
by Björn Jeffery
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SvD Näringsliv

This analysis was first published in SvD Näringsliv, in Swedish, on November 22, 2020. Censorship. Oppression of opinion. Freedom of speech. The American right does not mince words after Twitter started marking inaccuracies from Donald Trump. As a counterforce, a new wave of radical social networks is emerging – with its own rules that better suit their opinions. Should social networks allow untruths on their platforms? This issue has been topical and hotly debated for several […]

Apple’s response is a cynical move with no effect

November 18, 2020
by Björn Jeffery
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SvD Näringsliv

This analysis was first published in SvD Näringsliv, in Swedish, on November 18, 2020. The Apple Tax. That’s what critics usually call the fee that the company charges developers when they sell through the App Store. Now it is cut in half for the smallest players, all to appease the court of public opinion. The cost for Apple? At best, it can be seen as a rounding error on their bottom line. The dispute with Epic […]

Twitter’s headache after Trump leaves

November 14, 2020
by Björn Jeffery
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SvD Näringsliv

This analysis was first published in SvD Näringsliv, in Swedish, on November 9th, 2020. Polarizing. Accusatory. Seditious. The unfiltered outbursts on Twitter have long been Donald Trump’s main channel of communication. The question for Twitter going forward is not only how to deal with Trump after he loses power – but also the actors who engage in disinformation. Tech companies are often accused of negatively affecting democracy by facilitating the spread of falsehoods. Often the accusations […]

Laughing at Amazon is a mistake

November 14, 2020
by Björn Jeffery
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SvD Näringsliv

This analysis was first published in SvD Näringsliv, in Swedish, on October 29th, 2020. Unintentionally funny translations and poorly rounded prices. But those who base their conclusions on linguistic details have not only misunderstood what type of creature that has landed among the Swedish e-commerce players. They have also underestimated Amazon. “Men’s luggage compartment” instead of boxer shorts. “Waist lamp” instead of panties. Prices stated to the exact penny, and also, not necessarily lower prices […]

A historic lawsuit – but only the beginning of the tech fight

November 13, 2020
by Björn Jeffery
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SvD Näringsliv

This analysis was first published in SvD Näringsliv, in Swedish, on October 27th, 2020. He that seeks – he shall find, with the help of Google. That is why the company is getting sued in what has been called a historic case in the United States. What is striking, however, is everything that the lawsuit does not focus on – that which will constitute the real conflict between politics and technology. When you search directly […]