“Enshittification” of Platforms Detailed in New Book, Sparks Debate on Tech Regulation
A new analysis argues that major digital platforms, from TikTok to Amazon, follow a predictable lifecycle of initial user benefit, followed by increasing extraction of value from both users and businesses, a process dubbed “enshittification.”
The concept, explored in journalist and author Cory Doctorow’s new book, Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It, describes a pattern where platforms first attract users with valuable services, then lock them in through various means – switching costs, network effects, and contractual limitations – before progressively degrading the experience to maximize profits. This degradation extends to business customers, ultimately creating a detrimental environment for all involved. Doctorow explains that the core issue isn’t simply greed, but a lack of competition and legal frameworks that allow platforms to manipulate user experiences without consequence.
Doctorow points to 2019 as a key moment, citing internal Google documents revealing a strategy to intentionally worsen search results to increase ad revenue. “That’s enshittification in a nutshell — and we all kept using Google anyway,” he stated. He argues that this behavior is fueled by decades of relaxed antitrust enforcement, exemplified by the approval of Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram. This consolidation, he contends, creates a situation where alternatives are limited, and users are effectively trapped. The increasing concentration of power within these platforms has broader implications for economic fairness and innovation, potentially stifling competition across multiple sectors.
The author highlights Amazon as another example, noting how the company uses pay-to-play advertising within search results, often prioritizing sponsored listings over the best deals. He also points to the use of restrictive Digital Rights Management (DRM) and subscription models as methods of locking customers into the Amazon ecosystem. Further discussion on the impact of digital monopolies can be found at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Doctorow emphasizes the need for structural changes, including stronger antitrust measures, robust regulation, interoperability standards, and increased worker power, to address the issue. He also suggests that the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA) offer a promising model for more assertive regulation, as detailed in this European Commission overview.
Officials are continuing to debate potential legislative responses to address concerns about market dominance and anti-competitive practices, with further action expected in the coming months.
