Thieving the commons, Big Tech-style

Relevance: GS Paper III

Why in News? 

Originally developed for military purposes, the internet has since transformed into the global network we rely on today. The characteristics of the military, such as hierarchy and information control, have influenced the structure and functioning of the internet.

More About the News: 

The author explains the evolution of the internet and its current state under the influence of Big Tech. 

Key Points: 

• Military Origins and Evolution into the Internet: The original purpose was military, the internet has since evolved into a global communications network encompassing a multitude of uses far beyond its initial scope.
• Comparison to Military C4ISR Systems: In military terms, a C4I system refers to Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence, providing real-time data analysis for military commanders. An enhanced version, the C4ISR system, incorporates Surveillance and Reconnaissance, integrating data from sensors, satellites, radar, and drones. Similarly, our internet functions as a C4ISR system, but the Cs stand for capitalism, consumerism, corporatism, and coercion.  While C4ISR systems in the military context are designed for strategic advantage through data integration and real-time analysis, the internet today serves a similar purpose for Big Tech. This exhibits the idea that the internet has been harnessed by powerful entities to consolidate control and profit from the vast amounts of data generated by users.
• Big Tech and the Seizure of the Commons: Despite Big Tech’s claims of promoting democracy, it has weaponized the internet to seize public resources, or "the commons," benefiting only themselves and a few coerced non-IT companies. The dominance of Big Tech in controlling digital spaces and resources is evident. Companies like Google, Facebook (Meta), Amazon, and others have created platforms that are indispensable to modern life but operate on principles that prioritize profit over the public good. This has led to a situation where the digital commons, originally envisioned as a free and open space for information sharing, has been increasingly privatized.
• OpenAI and Data Exploitation: To train its large language models, OpenAI has utilized data from numerous websites, including Wikipedia, newspapers, government agencies, educational institutions, social media, and blogs, often without proper attribution. While large newspapers have negotiated deals with OpenAI, the rest of the web users are left unprotected, forced to accept the continuous exploitation of their data—voice, images, text, and video. This disparity underscores the uneven power dynamics in the digital age.
• The Commodification of Sharing and the Uber/Airbnb Model: The notion of 'free enterprise' has morphed into the privatization of public resources waterways, airwaves, data, and public transit systems. Influential billionaires like Musk, Zuckerberg, and Gates shape government policies across various sectors, including politics, public health, economics, and defense. The impact of information sharing extends to physical resources, as seen with companies like Uber and Airbnb. Uber has disrupted the taxicab and public transportation sectors, establishing a near-monopoly by circumventing local regulations. Their dynamic pricing policies, known as 'surge pricing,' exploit consumer impatience, driving up costs. Interestingly, Uber owns none of the vehicles it relies on. Similarly, Airbnb operates without owning the properties it rents. These companies have revolutionized their respective industries by leveraging digital platforms to connect users, but they have also circumvented traditional regulations and created new monopolies. The resulting market dynamics often disadvantage traditional service providers and can lead to increased costs for consumers through practices like surge pricing.
• Influence of Big Tech Billionaires: Among the top ten richest individuals globally, only Warren Buffett, who trades companies, and Bernard Arnault, who sells luxury goods, are not from Big Tech. The rest dominate the commons, whether it’s the World Wide Web, transportation systems, or other platforms, perpetuating consumerism and privatization. The influence of tech billionaires on public policy and society is another critical point. Figures like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates have substantial sway over various sectors, from politics to healthcare. Their ability to shape policy to their advantage further entrenches their power and raises questions about the democratic accountability of such influence.
• Consumerism and the Role of Big Tech: The philosophy of 'greed is good,' which permeated the US during the Reagan era and was emulated by Thatcher's UK government, has spread worldwide. This period marked the rise of Microsoft and the beginning of Big Tech's unrelenting expansion. The pervasive consumerism fostered by Big Tech platforms is a reflection of the broader cultural shift towards instant gratification and continuous consumption. The internet has become a marketplace not just for goods but for attention, with companies vying for user engagement through targeted advertising and personalized content.

Conclusion:

The internet, influenced by its military origins and  dominated by a few powerful entities that prioritize profit over public good, has become a tool for Big Tech to dominate and privatize public resources, often at the expense of the broader public. The parallels with military systems of control and the transformation of shared resources into commodified assets highlight the need for a critical examination of the role of Big Tech in modern society. The promise of democratization and equal sharing of information remains largely unfulfilled, overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of profit and control. Addressing these issues requires not only awareness but also concerted efforts to reclaim the digital commons and ensure that the benefits of the internet are distributed more equitably.