17
The democracy of profit
The virtual century has seen technology evolve from a democratizing force into a new form of feudalism. A system in which a handful of corporations and billionaires exert unprecedented control over digital infrastructure, data and even human behavior. The term“ feudal technology” is used to describe this concentration of power, where users trade their privacy and autonomy for access, and developers and creators operate according to the ever-changing rules of centralized platforms. In this digital feudalism, the new“ lords” are unelected CEOs, and the“ serfs” are consumers, casual workers and creators who depend on platforms that don’ t belong to them. This paradigm of“ feudal technology” is reshaping society, concentrating power in the hands of a few while leaving the majority dependent on their platforms, algorithms and business models.
Free access helps control and slavery
In today’ s digital landscape, technology giants like Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple offer a plethora of“ free” services that have become an integral part of everyday life. From search engines and social media to cloud storage and email, these platforms offer convenience and connectivity without any upfront monetary cost. However, the notion that these services are truly free is misguided. In reality, users often pay with their personal data, fueling a multi-billion dollar surveillance economy where privacy is the hidden cost.
Flashmag! Issue 159 April 2025
17