{
  "id": 18523944,
  "title": "Will Democrats Rein in Big Tech? It Starts With Privacy and Data Centers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/will-democrats-rein-in-big-tech-it-starts-with-privacy-and-data",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-06T15:57:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNET",
    "slug": "cnet",
    "url": "https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/midterm-election-2026-democrats-rein-in-big-tech-reaction/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Democrats' victory in the recent midterm elections has energized voters against big tech companies, who are accused of manipulating voters, buying politicians, and surveilling communities. Alan Butler, president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, claims the election results show strong distrust in big tech, giving newly elected leaders the momentum to change the status quo. Data centers, which are crucial to powering AI, took center stage in the elections as voters rejected over 40 ballot measures supporting data center construction. Tech critics argue that local and state governments may adopt moratoriums on new data center construction to address the health and environmental concerns they cause. Samir Jain, vice president of policy at the Center for Democracy and Technology, points out that tech companies' focus on the global AI race has led to a disregard for the impact on everyday people. Tech critics urge the new Congress to prioritize privacy, as the US currently lacks comprehensive federal laws around consumer data privacy. Meta, for instance, made its fortune by selling users' data to advertisers, and AI companies are constantly seeking user data to improve their models. If tech regulation were to be approached as a matrix, it would encompass various building blocks that apply to issues like AI, data privacy, and surveillance.",
  "summary": "Tech critics say that real change will depend on newly elected officials keeping their campaign promises.",
  "key_points": [
    "Democrats energized by midterm victories against big tech",
    "Data centers and privacy highlighted in election campaigns",
    "Tech companies prioritize global AI race over consumer impact"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}