18
Technology giants wield considerable control and power over the lives of ordinary individuals, often acting as gatekeepers to essential services and information. For example, Amazon can control which products are readily available to consumers, influence market trends and potentially stifle small businesses. Facebook’ s algorithms determine what news and information users see, shaping public discourse and potentially reinforcing echo chambers.
Flashmag! Issue 159 April 2025
Google’ s search engine dominance allows it to prioritize certain websites and demote others, impacting visibility and access to information. Apple and Google, as custodians of their respective app stores, can decide which applications are available to mobile users, effectively controlling innovation and access to digital tools.
These measures, often taken without transparency or due process, demonstrate the considerable power these companies hold over the flow of information, commerce and communication, impacting the daily lives of countless people. In addition, companies like iHeartRadio can prohibit their employees from using certain AI technologies like ChatGPT, demonstrating control over their employees’ access to information and tools. Spotify has also banned its employees from using ChatGPT. These examples show how technology giants, through their control of digital infrastructure and information, can exert considerable influence over individuals and companies.
18