The grftf Podcast Ep 3 | Controlling Our Toxic Relationship with Big Tech — Tom Kemp
Host Misha da Vinci and Tom Kemp author of Containing Big Tech: How to Protect Our Civil Rights, Economy, and Democracy discuss the influence and impacts of big tech on our lives, touching on privacy concerns, data collection, surveillance, and steps individuals can take to protect their privacy.
They discuss the hegemony of big tech companies over data collection in detail and how this unchecked power can lead to potentially harmful impacts on society.
Tom shares his personal journey into tech and his experiences in Silicon Valley and as an angel investor. He asserts the urgent need for legislation and consumer education to combat rampant data collection and digital surveillance persisting in today's societies.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Goals
00:51 Guest Introduction: Tom Kemp
01:58 Tom's Journey to Silicon Valley
02:54 The Importance of Balancing Tech and Humanities
04:33 Tom's Experience as a Founder and Angel Investor
06:21 Understanding the Role of an Angel Investor
09:36 Tom's Current Projects and Daily Life
12:54 The Toxic Relationship with Big Tech
16:14 The Impact of Big Tech Monopolies
25:18 The Need for Regulation and Antitrust Laws
30:34 Historical Perspective on Power Concentration
31:41 The Need for Pro-Innovation Legislation
32:20 The Unfairness of Tech Monopolies
33:33 Understanding Digital Surveillance
34:58 The Dangers of Data Weaponization
36:05 AI's Role in Personalization and Manipulation
42:21 The Importance of Privacy
50:36 The Future of Big Tech
55:28 Practical Steps to Reduce Data Footprint
57:20 Tech Companies' Double Standards
59:50 Closing Remarks
PRIVACY ENHANCING TOOLS:
- Privacy Badger - a browser extension that automatically learns to block invisible trackers. https://privacybadger.org/
- How to configure App Tracking Transparency in iOS and iPadOS https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/07/20/how-to-configure-app-tracking-transparency-in-ios-and-ipados
- DuckDuckGo — Privacy, simplified. https://duckduckgo.com/
- My Activity Google https://myactivity.google.com/
Tom's book: https://www.amazon.com/Containing-Big-Tech-Protect-Democracy/dp/1639080619
Connect with Tom: https://www.tomkemp.ai/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Let's get ready for the future!
Misha da Vinci is a futurologist, tech thinker, and founder of GRFTF.
Connect with Misha: The GRFTF Newsletter (a free life-changing newsletter): https://mishadavinci.substack.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mishadavinci
Website: https://www.mishadavinci.com/