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Tech’s New Feudalism: Are Big Platforms Becoming Digital Kingdoms?
“The real question is which of today’s major powers will meet the challenge of translating new and emerging technologies into surpassing state power.” — Kissinger Center Papers, Johns Hopkins University
In recent years, technology giants such as Apple, Meta (formerly Facebook), X (formerly Twitter), and Google have evolved beyond their roles as service providers, increasingly exhibiting behaviors akin to sovereign states. This transformation raises critical questions about their influence over global affairs, economies, and individual autonomy.
Digital Sovereignty: The New Power Brokers
These corporations have amassed unprecedented control over digital ecosystems, effectively governing vast virtual territories. For instance, Apple’s “walled garden” approach tightly regulates its hardware and software environments, dictating the terms of engagement for users and developers alike. Meta’s expansive social media platforms serve as global communication hubs, influencing public discourse and societal norms. Google acts as the primary gateway to information, shaping knowledge consumption through its search algorithms. X positions itself as a digital public square, facilitating real-time information exchange and public debate.
