As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, the competition between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is intensifying. The two candidates not only have differences in areas such as economy and diplomacy, but also show their unique views on technology policy. This article will analyze their positions on antitrust policy, artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, cryptocurrency attitudes, and social media management.

Antitrust Policy Competition

During Trump's first term, his government launched a series of antitrust lawsuits against large technology companies such as Google and Facebook through the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). After Biden took office, this trend did not weaken, but continued to strengthen. Recently, the court ruled that Google constituted an illegal monopoly in the search market, further verifying the continuity of this policy. Trump's vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance said that if Trump is re-elected, he will continue to put more pressure on technology giants. Vance's support for current FTC Chairman Lina Khan indicates that the Trump team may take more radical measures in antitrust.

In contrast, Harris promised in her campaign platform to combat anti-competitive practices, promote fair competition and protect consumer interests. However, it is unclear whether she will continue to support Lina Khan's leadership, especially as some Democratic insiders and supporters have expressed concerns about current antitrust policies.

The regulatory future of artificial intelligence

The two candidates also showed very different attitudes on the regulation of artificial intelligence. The Biden administration issued an executive order on AI last year, aiming to balance the use of technology with risk management. However, Trump's team criticized it, calling the order "dangerous" and declaring that it would overturn the policy if elected. Trump emphasized that his support for the development of AI is based on the principles of free speech and human prosperity.

On the other hand, Harris said she plans to continue to advance the Biden administration's AI policy and called for "historic investments" to ensure the United States' leading position in the global AI field. She said at the global "AI Security Summit" that innovation and public safety are not opposites and can coexist.

The rise of cryptocurrency

In the field of cryptocurrency, both Harris and Trump tried to attract voters' attention and showed a certain degree of support. Harris made it clear at a Wall Street event that innovation in digital assets will be encouraged while protecting investors. Trump, who once regarded cryptocurrency as a scam, has now turned into an active supporter and even plans to make the United States the "cryptocurrency capital." His team pointed out that the regulatory policies of Harris and the Biden administration would stifle this emerging industry, and Trump promised to end this "un-American suppression."

Social media and the fate of TikTok

The regulation of social media is also a focus of the two candidates. Earlier this year, Harris and the Biden administration supported TikTok's regulatory actions, believing that its Chinese parent company needed to be reviewed. Although Harris acknowledged that TikTok provides value to users, she emphasized that potential threats to national security must be taken seriously. In contrast, Trump's position has changed. During his campaign, he opposed a ban on TikTok, believing that it would benefit platforms such as Facebook.

Concerns about children's online safety

In recent years, children's online safety and privacy issues have received increasing attention. Harris actively supports the Children's Online Safety Act, which aims to improve social media protection measures for children. She once said on social media that the passage of this bill will provide protection for children's mental health and privacy security. Trump has spoken relatively little in this area and has not yet clearly proposed relevant policies.

Overall, Harris and Trump have obvious differences in technology policy, reflecting their different visions for the future development of technology. In the upcoming election, how technology policy will affect voters' choices is worth our close attention.