What you buy, which news you read, who you vote for. How much do big tech companies influence those choices? Open Markets Institute investigates the power and influence that these companies have. Over people as individuals and democracies as a whole. “Everyone suffers.”

One-sided view of the world

“Tech companies’ behavior has been a concern for years. For example, making apps as addictive as possible, designed to make you keep scrolling for ever”, explains Max von Thun of Open Markets Institute.  “The American government is now adding an extra dimension to this. Tech companies change their rules to match government policy. Meta, for example, stopped checking harmful messages on Facebook in the US, so extreme content isn’t being kept off the platform anymore.”

Tech companies, in turn, feel bolstered by the support of the American government. “Rules designed to limit the power of tech companies and protect citizens are dismissed as censure. Or as attempts to hold back technological progress.” It’s a persistent frame that Max immediately refutes: “Algorithms actually create a one-sided view of the world and small companies are hardly getting a chance to develop now.”

Hopeful debate

So regulation is absolutely vital, Max emphasizes. “In the current situation, everyone suffers. Although some people are being hit harder than others. Consider, for example, groups who are discriminated against online, such as migrants or the LGBTIQ+ community. And the normalization of misogyny and macho behavior. Or the poor working conditions endured by Amazon warehouse staff and Uber drivers.”

But these extreme developments actually give hope. “Awareness is growing. More and more governments, and citizens, are becoming concerned. About the effect of AI on the environment, for example. Or on jobs. A debate is also starting about dependence on the United States and various countries are talking about introducing age limits for social media.”

Stronger together

Last year, Open Markets Institute seized the moment to join forces with other organizations for a major multi-day conference. Experts, policymakers, politicians and former politicians from all over the world got together to discuss every aspect of this subject. “From potential regulation to the impact on democracy and the development opportunities for small companies”, explains Max.

“Governments and citizens sometimes think this power is too great to rein in, saying ‘that’s just the way it is’. But during the conference we showed that possibilities do exist and that there are lots of parties who want to put up resistance.”

To take effective action, both governments and citizens are needed, Max emphasizes. “When making choices at home, you can for example consider not just the efficiency of a browser or an app but also aspects like privacy and working conditions. Nobody has to look on powerlessly. Everyone can do something.”