The Monopoly Report

In-depth coverage of big tech's antitrust woes from Marketecture.tv. We are covering the Google search and ad tech trials and everything else happening. Subscribe to our newsletter at https://monopoly.marketecture.tv

The Monopoly Report is a business podcast hosted by Alan Chapell, with 84 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Alan Chapell hosts The Monopoly Report, a business show with 84 episodes published.

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  The Monopoly Report

  Episode 84: Dr. Johnny Ryan on GDPR Enforcement, Ad Tech Privacy and the Future of Digital Advertising

  Sep 29, 20261h 1m

  Alan Chapell speaks with Dr. Johnny Ryan, Director of ENFORCE at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, about GDPR enforcement, real-time bidding, purpose limitation, publisher economics, and the growing power of major technology platforms. Johnny is a long-time critic of programmatic advertising - having characterized real-time bidding as “The biggest data breach in history.” Chapell and Ryan explore whether privacy-friendly advertising can support publishers, the costs of fraud and ad tech intermediaries, and what Europe’s regulatory approach means for the future of digital advertising. The Chapell Regulatory Insider can be found at: https://chapellreport.substack.com/ Takeaways: Weak enforcement has limited GDPR’s practical impact on the digital advertising industry. Purpose limitation and data minimization could reduce privacy risks while still supporting advertising. Reducing behavioral tracking may help publishers limit fraud and unnecessary ad tech costs. Greater transparency is needed around digital advertising measurement and platform data practices. Europe’s digital sovereignty depends partly on stronger enforcement, competition policy, and alternatives to dominant technology platforms. Chapters:00:00 Introduction: GDPR, Privacy and Ad Tech03:10 Dr. Johnny Ryan’s Journey Into Privacy and Ad Tech06:03 GDPR and Europe’s Enforcement Problem11:42 Consent and the European Privacy Framework13:42 Can Advertising Work With Less Personal Data?17:30 Publisher Economics and Contextual Advertising21:09 The Challenge of ID-Less Advertising23:31 Advertisers, Measurement and Ad Tech Transparency27:11 Purpose Limitation and Platform Power36:35 Data Ownership, Privacy and Competition40:07 Europe’s Digital Sovereignty and Big Tech46:04 What Should Ad Tech Companies Do Next?48:30 Tracking, Fraud and Publisher Revenue53:33 Lessons From Dr. Ryan’s Career55:07 Alan’s Key Takeaways and Closing Analysis Guests: Alan Chapell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  Episode #83

  Episode 83: Inside Google’s Culture, Power and the “Don’t Be Evil” mantra with Claire Stapleton

  Sep 15, 202655 min

  Claire Stapleton joins Alan Chapell to discuss her years inside Google, from shaping the company’s internal communications to helping organize the 2018 Google walkout. They explore the following from multiple perspectives: Google’s “Don’t Be Evil” philosophy, employee activism, corporate messaging, the limits of worker dissent, and what Claire calls “PR jujitsu” and what Alan characterizes as “Regulatory jujitsu.” Alan and Claire compare notes as between Google’s approach to addressing internal consent, to the company’s approach to managing dissent within the broader digital media industry and within standards bodies. Drawing heavily from Claire’s book Don't Be Evil: Bad Bosses, Fake Promises, and My Escape from Big Tech.the conversation also examines how money, power, and institutional influence can reshape corporate values, plus why employees should build an identity and sense of purpose beyond their jobs. Don’t Be Evil by Claire Stapleton can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/5n7kkhv3.Yield by Ari Paparo can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/msfdwrry. The Chapell Regulatory Insider can be found at: https://chapellreport.substack.com/ Takeaways: Google’s early culture built a powerful internal story around openness, innovation, and doing good. The 2018 Google walkout exposed the limits of employee voice and internal dissent. “PR jujitsu” can acknowledge criticism without committing to meaningful change. Vague principles like “Don’t Be Evil” leave significant room for companies to define their own standards. Power and wealth can insulate executives from ordinary feedback and criticism. Employees should avoid making their corporate identity their entire source of self-worth and purpose. Chapters:00:29 Welcome and Introduction00:53 Meet Claire Stapleton01:11 The 2018 Google Walkout04:49 Claire’s Early Years at Google08:09 When Google’s Story Started to Crack10:08 The Road to Employee Activism16:06 Google’s Strategy, Power and Privacy18:19 Article 13 and the Limits of Employee Voice25:32 What “Don’t Be Evil” Really Meant30:03 When Google’s Culture Began to Change32:38 Google’s “PR Jujitsu” Playbook35:18 Alan’s Experience With Google’s Influence40:33 Money, Power and Executive Insulation44:48 Claire’s Advice to Her Younger Self50:22 Alan’s Key Takeaways55:01 Closing Guests: Alan Chapell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  The Monopoly Report

  Episode 82: Is Attribution Solving the Wrong Problem? Adelaide CEO Marc Guldimann on Media Quality

  Aug 18, 202646 min

  Marc Guldimann, founder and CEO of Adelaide, joins Alan Chapell to discuss why attribution may be solving the wrong problem, how AU measures media quality, and whether attention can become a true currency for digital advertising. The Chapell Regulatory Insider can be found at: https://chapellreport.substack.com/ Takeaways Attribution may be a symptom of poor media-quality signals. AU measures the probability of attention and outcomes. Adelaide wants AU to become a shared media-quality currency. Publisher audits could reduce reliance on impression-level tracking. AI-driven media buying will need reliable quality signals. Shared quality standards could reshape how digital media is bought and priced. Chapters00:00 Marc Guldimann’s Background05:45 Why Viewability Gets Gamed07:54 The Problem With Attention Duration10:50 Can AU Replace Viewability?15:06 How Adelaide Builds AU20:13 Adelaide’s Publisher Strategy23:35 AI Agents & Media Quality27:37 Browsers, Privacy & Tracking31:55 Are Outcomes the Real Currency?34:41 Private vs. Shared Measurement38:16 Closing Guests: Alan Chapell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  Episode #81

  Episode 81: Google Search Data Sharing - Does Competition Law trump Privacy?

  Aug 5, 202653 min

  Thirteen months of Google's search data is worth roughly seventeen years of Bing's. That single number explains why Google's search business is now under pressure from four directions at once—the DOJ's antitrust remedy, the EU's Digital Markets Act, the UK's CMA, and the proposed US SEARCH Act. Now that Google is required to share its search data with competitors, the question turns to whether such sharing can be done in a way that is privacy safe. Do PETs offer a solution? Is this simply a place where privacy interests and competition interests are perpetually at odds? Is this simply another opportunity for Google to delay? Alan Chapell sits down with Alissa Cooper of the KGI to discuss the DOJ search remedies, the EU Digital Markets Act, privacy, AI, and what search data sharing could mean for competition and innovation Alissa Cooper’s bio can be found at: https://kgi.georgetown.edu/people/alissa-cooper/  The Chapell Regulatory Insider can be found at: https://chapellreport.substack.com/ Takeaways Why regulators want Google to share search data Privacy vs. competition in search How AI is changing the data-sharing debate Why independent oversight is essential Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:24 Why Google Must Share Search Data 08:35 Comparing Global Regulations 16:06 What Search Data Includes 19:34 Privacy Concerns 32:20 Independent Oversight 43:00 Final Takeaways 50:05 Closing Remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  The Monopoly Report

  Episode 80: Andy Dale on the Future of Self-Regulation

  Jul 21, 202651 min

  Is self-regulation still relevant in today's privacy-first advertising landscape? Alan Chapell sits down with Andy Dale, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer at OpenAP, to discuss the future of industry self-regulation, AI governance, privacy laws, and what ad tech organizations must do to remain valuable as regulation evolves. The Chapell Regulatory Insider may be found at https://chapellreport.substack.com/ The Data Protection Breakfast Club podcast may be found at https://rephonic.com/podcasts/data-protection-breakfast-club Takeaways: - Why self-regulation in ad tech needs to evolve beyond traditional compliance. - How AI governance, privacy laws, and managed services are reshaping the industry. - The future role of trade associations in supporting advertisers and ad tech companies. - Why collaboration and practical guidance may matter more than ever. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:34 Meet Andy Dale, General Counsel & Chief Privacy Officer at OpenAP 02:54 Is self-regulation still relevant? 06:08 Why now is the time to rethink industry organizations 07:36 Privacy laws vs. self-regulation 10:18 What advertisers need today 13:12 The future of industry collaboration 19:17 The three pillars: Advocacy, Standards & Compliance 22:11 How best practices should evolve 28:50 Managed services and privacy support 32:04 AI governance and the next opportunity 33:18 Does the DAA still matter? 37:25 Industry partnerships and consolidation 44:20 The future value of trade associations 46:03 Final thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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