The Problem We Face Today
Big Tech companies including major social media platforms serve as information gatekeepers, putting unparalleled power in the hands of a few decision makers, with very little oversight. These companies – like Facebook, Twitter, Google, Amazon, and Apple – were not fundamentally designed to serve the public good, but to generate growth and profits.
Their toxic surveillance advertising business model relies on harvesting and monetizing data, so they developed products and algorithms to maximize engagement. Those algorithms reward outrageous, inflammatory and often misleading content, and filter like-minded individuals into small echo chambers.
Moreover, bad actors are weaponizing these data-rich platforms to manipulate users – be it to suppress voters, prey on consumers, or promote extremism. Democracy requires a shared baseline of facts. But this online information landscape is instead creating a toxic patchwork of personalized pseudo-realities.
How We Create Meaningful Change
Accountable Tech is working to bring about long-term structural reform to tackle the existential threat Big Tech companies pose to our information ecosystem and democracy. We advocate to rein in Big Tech’s societal harms through legislation, regulation, and direct advocacy.
