Cory Doctorow, a prominent science fiction author, activist, and journalist, has introduced the term “enshittification” in his latest book, aptly titled “Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What To Do About It.” This idea points to a genuinely pernicious phenomenon in tech where progress moves in the opposite direction, from better to worse. In his latest book, Doctorow argues that the current state of technology has been corrupted by predatory practices. These practices allow for greater user surveillance and allow companies to monetize with extreme price discrimination.
In his book, Doctorow illustrates how enshittification outlines a broader, multifaceted trend in which technology degrades under systemic issues. He contends that this phenomenon isn’t merely an unlucky byproduct of innovation. Rather, he thinks it’s an intentional result fueled by big business interests. US tech companies, in particular, have capitalized on regulatory restrictions to extract vast sums of money from consumers while undermining the quality of their services.
The European software directive of 2001 looms large in this discussion. Article 6 of this directive likely does just that, instituting tough restrictions on reverse engineering in the UK. This suppresses innovation and undermines the ability to retro-fit existing products to achieve better performance. Reverse engineering and product improvement The power of reverse engineering technology cannot be underestimated, it’s the key to making better technology. Your worst nightmares about the anti-circumvention law have now come to pass, as reverse engineering has been banned. This politically motivated decision, heavily directed by the US trade representative, creates needless complications for developers and consumers alike.
Doctorow reminds us that US tech platforms are already extracting hundreds of billions in rents and junk fees from around the world. This practice is a great example of enshittification in action. Jeff Bezos infamously summarized it when, in the early days of Amazon, he said that “your margin is my opportunity.” This mentality fosters a culture where companies prioritize profit margins over user experience. By focusing profitability over technological quality, the quality of tech suffers.
As the UK continues to figure out its post-Brexit reality, Doctorow argues the country has a one-time-only opportunity to tackle enshittification head on. He pushes policymakers to rethink repressive regulations that suppress innovation and encourage corporate predation on the public. We believe that through more progressive legal standards, the UK can unleash a new technological renaissance. These laws should broadly protect reverse engineering and strengthen consumer rights.
Doctorow’s call to action reminds us that we must re-examine the paradigms that inform the foundations that dictate the regulation of technology. He’s convinced that getting rid of obsolete regulations will lower walls. This fundamental shift has the potential to foster a UK environment that inspires innovation and champions user-centric design. This continued push might eventually produce a technology that serves the needs of the user rather than the wants of corporate entities.