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TED Talks Daily

This is what a digital coup looks like | Carole Cadwalladr

Apr 10, 2025
Carole Cadwalladr, an investigative journalist renowned for exposing data harvesting's impact on democracy, discusses the alarming rise of tech executives known as the "broligarchy." She warns about their growing power over global politics, emphasizing the threat of digital authoritarianism and its consequences for personal freedoms. Cadwalladr encourages listeners to recognize their own power and engage in digital disobedience, advocating collective action against mass surveillance and challenges journalists face in today’s digital environment.
18:54

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Powerful tech executives, termed the 'broligarchy,' are threatening democracy by exploiting digital platforms to amass geopolitical influence.
  • Data harvesting and mass surveillance compromise personal privacy, necessitating citizens to actively resist and protect their digital rights.

Deep dives

The Technological Coup

The rise of powerful technology executives poses a significant threat to democracy, as these individuals increasingly wield unprecedented geopolitical power through their digital platforms. The alarming perspective is that this scenario mirrors the historical dynamics of authoritarian regimes, with a new form of control emerging that the speaker refers to as 'broligarchy.' This term highlights the collusion of business elites and political leaders, wielding their influence to manipulate public perception and power structures. Ultimately, this unsettling alliance could dismantle democratic institutions globally, signaling a potential coup facilitated by technology.

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