‘Techlash’ puts top digital companies under pressure from all sides

US politicians have left no doubt that the country's big technology companies face tighter regulations. But with a presidential election less than a year away, political calculation may be playing a part. — AFP

Are the sunny days coming to an end for major US technology firms? After surviving multiple scandals, some wonder whether the sailing is going to get even tougher for Facebook, Twitter and other companies as the US political year heats up.

For the longest time, US technology giants like Google and Facebook could count on loose regulations and generally favourable reactions, at least from politicians in their domestic market. They tended to be seen as dynamic, flagship companies that secured America's place in the world of tomorrow.