TED Tech Who owns the internet of the future? | Ordinary Things
Nov 29, 2024
Ordinary Things, an anonymous YouTube creator, dives into the internet's evolution and its looming threats. They discuss how data-driven surveillance is jeopardizing our privacy and highlight the rise of state-sponsored disinformation. The conversation navigates the shift from a decentralized internet to one controlled by a few powerful players, and the implications this has for our collective future. With insights on balancing free speech and content moderation, it becomes clear that the fight for a free internet is more crucial than ever.
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Internet Ownership
- The internet, envisioned as decentralized and immune to control, is now largely owned by a few American companies.
- This shift raises concerns about individual freedom in a world of algorithms and surveillance.
Internet Shutdowns
- In 2011, Egypt shut down an internet exchange point to control protests, but the internet was credited with the government's fall.
- However, regimes now use internet shutdowns strategically, as seen in Iran and Iraq, to quell dissent and hide abuses.
Mobile Phones: Double-Edged Sword
- Mobile phones empower resistance by facilitating documentation of state violence, as seen in Myanmar.
- However, they also enable data-driven mass surveillance, allowing governments to monitor and delete messages.