Ex-Meta global affairs chief says tech should stay out of politics

Nick Clegg, the former global affairs chief at Meta, expressed strong concerns regarding the intersection of technology and politics in a recent interview. Clegg emphasized that technology companies should maintain a respectful distance from political spheres, suggesting that their involvement can lead to discomfort among the public. Speaking on CNBC's 'Squawk Box,' he remarked, "I generally don't think that politics and tech innovation mix very well." His comments come in light of President Donald Trump's recent agreement with China, which aims to keep TikTok operational in the United States while intertwining political and technological interests. Clegg highlighted that the implications of this deal would be closely monitored. Particularly regarding TikTok, Clegg pointed out two critical aspects that deserve attention: the protection of American user data and the complexities surrounding algorithm ownership. He voiced concerns about the safety of U.S. data, questioning whether it would remain secure from potential surveillance. Additionally, he criticized legislative moves in other countries, such as India's proposal for stringent data localization that mandates all citizen data to be stored within its borders. Clegg warned that such trends could lead to wider fragmentation of global data flows. On the topic of Trump's newly established joint-venture structure for TikTok, which involves Oracle managing cloud services and security operations, Clegg noted that both China and TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, have yet to respond to this executive order. He also addressed the broader implications of U.S.-China relations, suggesting that tensions could influence the digital policies of other nations. Clegg remarked on a recent meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasizing that if India were to adopt similar isolationist policies as China, it could undermine the foundational open principles of the internet. Clegg's insights underscore the delicate balance between technological advancement and political interests, raising critical questions about the future of data governance in an increasingly interconnected world.