Masters in Business BONUS: How the Internet Got Worse with Cory Doctorow
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Jan 21, 2026 
Cory Doctorow, a renowned science fiction author and digital rights activist, dives into the dark side of our internet experience. He details his concept of 'inshittification,' where platforms entrap users, worsen their experiences, and extract profit. Cory contrasts U.S. and EU regulations on privacy, discusses TikTok's issues stemming from weak laws, and examines Amazon's shift towards rent extraction. He also explores how algorithmic policies impact gig workers and questions the role of copyright in the age of generative AI, advocating for stronger worker protections.
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How Code Became Protected Speech
- Cory Doctorow describes litigating Bernstein to establish that code is speech and protect strong encryption.
- The case secured the legal basis for publishing encryption source code and widely enabled secure communications.
The Three Stages Of Platform Decay
- InShittification describes a three-stage lifecycle: user-first, user-exploitation with lock-in, then business-customer extraction.
- Platforms keep just enough functionality to lock users and businesses while extracting maximum rent.
Why Platforms Got Worse Now
- Doctorow argues decay accelerated because competition, interoperability, workers and regulators were weakened.
- Removing those disciplines created a policy environment that rewards the worst corporate behaviors.