Our People » Max von Thun
Max von Thun is the Director of Europe & Transatlantic Partnerships at the Open Markets Institute. He leads Open Markets’ research and advocacy in Europe alongside efforts to bring about greater alignment in transatlantic anti-monopoly policy and enforcement.
Von Thun’s work touches on a range of antitrust and competition issues in Europe, with a particular focus on technology and new legislative frameworks targeting Big Tech’s market power. Prior to joining Open Markets, von Thun advised UK Parliamentarians on economic policy, led the research program at think-tank the Centre for Entrepreneurs, and worked as a consultant on EU and UK technology and competition policy. He has written influential reports on a range of topics including AI regulation, the future of work, wealth taxation and small business policy. Von Thun’s writing has appeared in publications including the Guardian, the Times, Tech Policy Press and Euractiv. He is regularly quoted as an expert on European competition and technology issues in the media, including Politico, Reuters, Bloomberg, Wired and Time.
Von Thun holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and philosophy from the University of Southern California, and a master’s in international public policy from University College London. He originally hails from London, but these days calls Brussels home.
On Monday April 15th, The Open Markets institute and a coalition of organizations committed to challenging monopoly power in Europe brought together leading policymakers and thinkers for a half-day conference in Brussels.
The Open Markets Institute and several civil society partners active in the European Union have published “Rebalancing Europe: A New Economic Agenda for Tackling Monopoly Power,” a new manifesto for the next European Commission and Parliament that sets out how policymakers should more effectively address monopoly power and control in Europe.
OMI Europe director Max von Thun was quoted on Europe’s failure to check monopolization of the emerging AI space by Big Tech monopolies, illustrated by the partnership between Microsoft and Paris-based Mistral AI.ok.
OMI Europe director Max von Thun was quoted on Europe’s diverging views from the U.S. on the threat emanating from Chinese-owned TikTok.
Open Markets and partner civil society organisations active in Europe urge the European Commission to address early concentration in the AI market.
OMI Europe director Max von Thun was quoted saying that Big Tech companies like Amazon, Meta, and Google use cosmetic changes to circumvent Europe’s Digital Markets Act.
OMI Europe director Max von Thun was quoted for speaking on a $2 billion fine the European Commission slapped on Apple for unfair practices within its app store.
OMI Europe director Max von Thun was quoted on the multiyear partnership between Microsoft and European AI startup Mistral..
OMI Europe director Max von Thun was thoughts on the multiyear partnership between Microsoft and European AI startup Mistral were published.
Open Markets Europe director Max Von Thun was interviewed on “The Tech Brief” podcast, where he discussed how Europe can better approach competition policy and directed listeners to a recently published manifesto, which outlined how the European Union can put antimonopoly at the heart of its policy agenda.