„The current model of the global digital economy is broken and dysfunctional, in part due to the stranglehold of a handful of powerful technology corporations who reap enormous profits while presiding over a growing and wide-ranging set of harms to people, society, the economy and the environment. A key source of these firms‘ unprecedented size and power is their control over essential digital services and infrastructure – granting them not only effective monopolies over markets such as advertising, retail, and social media, but also running the operating systems, software and cloud infrastructure that underpins much of the wider economy and many governments and businesses rely on.“ (Beyond Big Tech, September 2024) The executive summary of „Beyond Big Tech“ begins with these words. Under the heading „A positive vision for a new and fair digital economy“, the white paper states: „This white paper sets out an initial high-level framework for a long-term ‚Beyond Big Tech‘ agenda for states, policymakers, civil society, workers and other allies to dismantle these digital fiefdoms and encourage the emergence of a fair digital economy that is open, decentralised, and serves the common good, not just private profit.“ (Beyond Big Tech, September 2024) The document can be downloaded from www.lobbycontrol.de/wp-content/uploads/Beyond-Big-Tech-White-Paper.pdf.

Abb.: Big tech on the road