Cory Doctorow With a Plan to Halt the Internet's Enshittification

Cory Doctorow presented a keynote at Supercon 2023, discussing his plan to combat the "enshittification" of the internet, a term he uses to describe the lifecycle of tech platforms that initially serve users well but eventually exploit them for profit. Doctorow identifies three main factors contributing to this cycle: lack of competition due to mergers, companies manipulating their services to benefit themselves, and the use of technology law to stifle new entrants and consumer rights. He argues that reversing this trend is possible through a combination of antitrust enforcement, interoperability, and comprehensive privacy laws. Doctorow emphasizes the need for stronger antitrust laws, which have been largely ineffective for decades, and highlights recent governmental efforts in various countries to address monopolistic practices. He advocates for interoperability among platforms, suggesting that laws like the EU's Digital Markets Act can facilitate this by requiring companies to maintain open APIs. Additionally, he calls for restoring users' rights to modify services and for government procurement laws to incentivize companies to support interoperability. Doctorow believes that by spreading ideas for a better internet, society can shift the narrative and create a more equitable digital landscape.

- Cory Doctorow addresses the issue of "enshittification" in tech platforms.

- He proposes stronger antitrust laws and interoperability to combat monopolistic practices.

- Doctorow emphasizes the importance of comprehensive privacy laws for user protection.

- Recent governmental actions in multiple countries signal a shift towards addressing tech monopolies.

- He encourages the spread of innovative ideas to foster a better internet.