By: Ricardo Abud
In the contemporary digital age, we are witnessing a radical transformation of economic and social power structures. The concept of "technofeudalism" is emerging as a critical perspective for understanding how large technology platforms are reconfiguring social, economic, and political relations, particularly through social media.
Technofeudalism describes a system in which economic power is concentrated in the hands of a small group of technology corporations that control the digital infrastructure. Unlike traditional capitalism, where ownership of the physical means of production was central, in technofeudalism, control over data, platforms, and algorithms is crucial.
Big tech companies like Meta (Facebook), X (formerly Twitter), Google, Amazon, and TikTok not only dominate their respective markets, but have created entire ecosystems where they set the rules, control access, and extract value in a similar way to how feudal lords controlled their lands and vassals.
Social media is one of the pillars of technofeudalism. These platforms not only facilitate communication but also mediate the dissemination of information. Below, we analyze some of the ways in which social media perpetuates technofeudalism.
Social media algorithms determine what content users see. This not only affects the information they consume but also influences their opinions and behaviors. Content curation can be a form of censorship, where certain points of view are privileged over others, thus reinforcing the platforms' narrative.
Social media competes for users' attention, creating a system where time is a valuable resource. This attention economy leads to the creation of content that prioritizes virality over quality, which can result in misinformation and social polarization.
Social media users are often treated as products rather than consumers. Their data is collected and sold, and their interaction with the platform is monetized. This business model reinforces the power of tech companies, fueling a cycle of exploitation.
Technofeudalism and social media have profound implications for society and politics. The concentration of power in the hands of a few corporations raises questions about democracy and fairness. The manipulation of information can influence elections and political decisions, making corporate control a threat to individual sovereignty.
There is social inequality—a widening gap between those with access to technology and those without. Those without internet access or digital skills are excluded from full participation in society, thus perpetuating inequality. The manipulation of information and the lack of transparency in algorithmic decisions can undermine public trust in democratic institutions. Disinformation becomes a tool of social control.
Social media represents the most visible example of technofeudalism in action:
Users generate content, data, and attention, but they do not own or control the conditions under which this occurs. They are subject to unilateral changes to terms of service, algorithms, and moderation policies.
While traditional feudalism extracted rent from the land, platforms extract rent from user-generated data. This "digital surplus" is monetized through targeted advertising and attention-based business models.
The relationship between platforms and their users is profoundly unequal. Users depend on these platforms for communication, information, and social participation, while the platforms can change the rules at any time.
Social media, far from being simply communication tools, are now digital fiefdoms where new forms of domination and exploitation coexist with unprecedented opportunities for connection and expression.
The challenge for contemporary societies is to recognize this new reality and develop responses that allow for the democratization of digital power, guarantee fundamental rights in the online environment, and build alternatives to a model that increasingly concentrates power in the hands of a few technolords.
A critical understanding of technofeudalism is the first step toward imagining and building a more just, democratic, and common-good-oriented digital ecosystem.
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