The growing techlash highlights the urgent need to regulate Silicon Valley’s unchecked power, as its libertarian ethos and disruptive practices increasingly undermine democracy and societal stability. (Source: Image by RR)

Critics Call out Big Tech’s Unchecked Power, Privacy Violations and Threats to Democracy

The term “techlash,” coined in 2013 by Economist columnist Adrian Wooldridge, has grown into a cultural critique of Big Tech’s unchecked power and influence. Initially dismissed as resistance to progress, this backlash has gained momentum, fueled by growing concerns over Silicon Valley’s encroachment on democracy and ethics. Two recent books, Rob Lalka’s “The Venture Alchemists” and Marietje Schaake’s “The Tech Coup,” highlight how tech billionaires, initially celebrated as disruptors, have used their wealth to influence global policies, foster surveillance capitalism and evade regulation. As noted in technologyreview.com, these works shed light on the urgent need to address the ethical and social implications of Big Tech’s dominance.

Lalka’s “The Venture Alchemists” delves into the ideologies and actions of tech titans like Peter Thiel, Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Page, revealing how their libertarian leanings and profit-driven ethos shaped Silicon Valley’s culture. Lalka critiques their disregard for privacy, disdain for competition and indifference to government oversight, arguing that these values have been woven into the DNA of companies that now define communication, news consumption and innovation. While Lalka vividly details these entrepreneurs’ rise to power, he struggles to reconcile their flaws with calls for measured judgment, ultimately underscoring the darker consequences of their unchecked influence.

Schaake’s “The Tech Coup” provides a roadmap for reining in Big Tech’s power, highlighting the role of regulatory frameworks in protecting democracy from corporate overreach. Schaake examines troubling examples, such as the use of Pegasus spyware to suppress dissent and Elon Musk’s influence over U.S. national security via his companies. Advocating for proactive regulation, she suggests banning technologies that threaten democratic values, improving legislative expertise on technology and fostering transparency to counteract the lobbying efforts that undermine oversight. Schaake’s insights resonate as a call to reclaim public accountability in the face of tech-driven governance.

Both authors challenge the myth of technological progress as inherently beneficial. Instead, they argue for a reevaluation of societal priorities, questioning Silicon Valley’s obsession with disruption at any cost. Lalka and Schaake suggest shifting focus from relentless innovation to stability and problem-solving, emphasizing that technology should serve democratic principles rather than erode them. As the techlash evolves, it calls for a balance between embracing innovation and ensuring technology aligns with humanity’s best interests—an ongoing revolution in how society defines progress and success.

read more at technologyreview.com