Leading U.S. technology companies are essential for national competitiveness and security as America engages in an increasingly fierce global rivalry with China. Yet those same U.S. “Big Tech” firms are subject to a growing number of policy assaults at home and abroad that reduce their ability to innovate and compete.

ITIF’s Big Tech Policy Tracker documents these policies to help U.S. policymakers better understand their scope and impact. Compiled by ITIF’s 

Aegis Project for Defending U.S. Technology Leadership

, the Tracker is a knowledge base of domestic and international laws and regulations that disproportionately or unduly target leading U.S. tech companies with restrictive or extractive rules or obligations that accrue to the benefit of Chinese competitors and other foreign rivals.

To suggest an update or addition to the Big Tech Policy Tracker, 

 to Aegis Project Policy Analyst Hilal Aka.

Argentina’s cross-border data transfer law imposes strict controls on sending personal data to regions lacking “adequate” protection, creating obstacles for large U.S. tech companies dependent on global data flows, and giving Chinese firms an opportunity to expand in Argentina’s market at their expense.

Argentina’s Cross-Border Data Transfer Regulation

The European Union’s digital services tax imposes additional tax obligations on large U.S. tech companies, potentially reducing their competitiveness in the EU market. In contrast, Chinese tech firms, often with smaller market shares or different business models, may face fewer immediate impacts, allowing them to strengthen their presence in Europe.

The EU’s Digital Tax Policy

Brazil’s new VAT system increases tax compliance costs for large foreign digital service providers, disproportionately impacting U.S. tech companies. Meanwhile, smaller Chinese firms or those with local partnerships face fewer hurdles, giving them a relative advantage in Brazil’s digital market.

Brazil’s Digital Tax Policy

Kenya’s cross-border data transfer rules create barriers for large U.S. technology companies operating in Kenya, offering potential competitive advantages for Chinese firms.

Kenya’s Cross-Border Data Transfer Regulation

Indonesia’s 11 percent VAT on digital services increases compliance costs for large foreign providers, disproportionately impacting U.S. tech companies. Meanwhile, smaller Chinese firms face fewer disruptions, giving them a relative advantage in Indonesia’s digital market.

Indonesia’s Digital Tax Policy

Argentina’s digital services tax shifts compliance burdens onto foreign providers, disproportionately impacting U.S. tech companies. This creates an opening for Chinese firms to expand their influence in Argentina’s digital economy while weakening U.S. competitiveness in the region.

Argentina’s Digital Tax Policy

Belarus bars cross-border transfers of personal data unless the receiving country meets its adequacy standards. This restriction affects large U.S. technology providers that thrive on global data flows, opening potential inroads for Chinese firms to gain market share.

Belarus’s Cross-Border Data Transfer Regulation

Australia’s cross-border data transfer rules place considerable compliance burdens on large U.S. technology companies while giving foreign competitors—particularly those from China—an opportunity to advance.

Australia’s Cross-Border Data Transfer Regulation

Australia’s digital services tax policy increases compliance costs for U.S. technology companies while creating opportunities for Chinese firms to expand their market presence.

Australia’s Digital Tax Policy

Australia is developing new digital market regulations that could impose interoperability requirements similar to the EU’s Digital Markets Act. These rules could increase compliance costs and limit U.S. tech firms’ ability to control their platforms, giving Chinese companies a competitive advantage.

Australia’s Interoperability Regulation

ITIF’s Big Tech Policy Tracker is a knowledge base documenting domestic and international policies that undermine leading U.S. technology companies’ ability to innovate and compete at a time when their success is essential for U.S. competitiveness and security.

Big Tech Policy Tracker

Knowledge Base