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Understood: Who Broke the Internet? Kick 'Em in the Dongle
13 snips
May 26, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Michael Geist, a law professor at the University of Ottawa and authority on digital policy, dives into the troubling rise of techno-feudalism and its implications. He warns against stringent digital lock laws while unpacking the challenges posed by Canadian legislation like Bill C-11 and Bill C-18. The conversation explores how these laws impact user rights, especially during crises, and advocates for an internet that prioritizes community-driven solutions and innovation over profit-driven motives.
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Understanding Techno-Feudalism
- Techno-feudalism is a new socioeconomic system where big tech companies act as feudal lords.
- Users provide free labor by contributing content, enriching the platforms that control digital land.
Facebook as a Lifeline During Wildfires
- Delaney Poitras used Facebook as a critical community bulletin board during wildfires in Northwest Territories.
- When Meta blocked news links due to Bill C-18, she resorted to sharing screenshots to keep her community informed.
Regulating Big Tech's Power
- Attempts to regulate tech giants by requiring payment for news led platforms to block news content in Canada.
- Such laws address symptoms but not the root of big tech's power, which requires dismantling digital lock laws.