As recently as 20 years ago, America’s technology companies had little interaction with the federal government beyond paying taxes. Now, Big Tech – with Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft leading the way – has put itself in a position to replace democratic decision-making itself.
STANFORD – Although we have only just begun to understand the harms caused by Internet platforms to public health, privacy, and competition, we will soon be confronting an even more fundamental threat from Big Tech. At a time when the institutions of liberal democracy are already weak, Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft are mounting a challenge to democratically elected governments by offering their own services as an alternative.
STANFORD – Although we have only just begun to understand the harms caused by Internet platforms to public health, privacy, and competition, we will soon be confronting an even more fundamental threat from Big Tech. At a time when the institutions of liberal democracy are already weak, Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft are mounting a challenge to democratically elected governments by offering their own services as an alternative.