‘Our Economy and Democracy Are at Stake’: Do You Think Big Tech Has Too Much Power?
By Movieguide® Contributor
A new study found that two-thirds of Americans think Big Tech has too much control over the public.
Big Tech often refers to major media brands like Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and, while their stocks may be faltering, people still feel they have a lot of public influence.
According to the survey, Big Tech is given too much power and influence over the public and markets, too much wealth and not paying enough tax, being close to monopolistic and able to stifle competition, and manipulating public opinion and having biases against certain social groups.
Variety’s study broke down the groups they surveyed by age, finding that those 60+ are the most concerned about Big Tech, with 15-29s coming in second.
Older responders indicated they were most worried about Meta, the new name for Facebook, though younger responders felt Apple was a bigger concern.
Facebook’s dark underbelly was exposed in the movie, THE SOCIAL DILEMMA.
According to the Movieguide® review:
THE SOCIAL DILEMMA is a compelling, timely look at some of the nefarious ways, or even involuntary ways, Big Tech controls its user base through provisions like instant information and search engines. The movie’s dramatic portion sometimes distracts from the interviews, but otherwise reinforces the interviews. However, THE SOCIAL DILEMMA still presents a revealing perspective on Big Tech and the addictive qualities that social media has on many children and adults. It provides several scientifically backed solutions to slow the tide of social media’s negative physiological and psychological effects. Due to some depictions of riots, a couple references to evolution, an obscenity, and a discussion of suicide in THE SOCIAL DILEMMA, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older children.
“I think we need massive regulation,” THE SOCIAL DILEMMA director Jeff Orlowski said. “These tools weren’t built for democracy…We, the public, are the thing being mined and manipulated, being converted into money. It turns out that it’s terrible for democracy. We need democracy to fight back. We need our systems, we need our legislators to say, ‘Wait a second. This has gone way too far. We need to change what these things can or can’t do, for the betterment of society.’”
Two-thirds of the people in the Variety survey agree, noting that they think government needs to pay more attention to Big Tech’s reach.
Congress opened an investigation into Big Tech in 2020.
A 450-page report found that “the tech giants hold ‘monopoly power’ in key business segments and have abused their dominance in the marketplace, in a full-throated condemnation of the giants. The findings set the stage for possible future legislation designed to rein in Big Tech, even as antitrust enforcers at the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission gear up for potential litigation against some of the companies.”
“These firms have too much power, and that power must be reined in and subject to appropriate oversight and enforcement,” the report said. “Our economy and democracy are at stake.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
