Freedom & Liberty in the Age of Tech Giants⛓️‍💥

The Juxtaposition of Freedom & Liberty in the Age of Tech Giants

It is indisputable that technology has brought profound societal benefits—transformations that many of us now take for granted. Think back to the 2000s, a time when having food delivered to your doorstep felt like a futuristic fantasy. Calling your crush on a landline was a nerve-wracking gamble, a precarious game of emotional chance where you hoped to avoid an awkward conversation with a parent or, worse, the unwanted eavesdropping of a sibling. While countless examples could illustrate this shift, these two moments alone highlight a fundamental truth: technology has irrefutably elevated the way we live, work, and connect.

Fast forward to the present day, and technology has entrenched itself as an indispensable pillar of modern society. As we witness the relentless evolution of the digital landscapes we inhabit, I cannot help but question whether the entities that have bestowed these tools upon us are truly deserving of our trust (spoiler alert: they are not). Consider the recent election cycle, where Elon Musk alone spent over $200 million to pave the way for a second Trump administration—a staggering sum that underscores our moral imperative to hold figures like him, Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, and others to the highest ethical scrutiny. While their contributions to societal progress are undeniable, the tradeoff has set a perilous precedent: a handful of individuals wield unprecedented power, amassing wealth and influence on a scale that threatens the very foundations of freedom and liberty for working-class Americans. This concentration of resources within the tech industry is not just alarming—it is a call to action. We cannot afford to let these tech giants operate without accountability.

Technology has been transformative in dismantling barriers to access that have historically excluded marginalized communities.

The Promise of Freedom: Unlocking Opportunities

Technology has been transformative in dismantling barriers to access that have historically excluded marginalized communities. Consider the music industry as a case in point. There was a time when radio reigned supreme; aspiring artists dedicated their lives to securing airplay, often at the expense of creative autonomy. This dynamic created a constrained experience for both creators and audiences, as artists struggled to navigate the complexities of marketing their work while listeners grew increasingly frustrated with the transparent favoritism shown to major-label promotions. In essence, people—myself included—yearned for control over their musical landscapes. Technology answered this demand with the rise of platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. Suddenly, commuters were no longer condemned to endure repetitive Top 40 playlists, waiting endlessly for a song they actually wanted to hear.

The aforementioned example may not be what some consider “high stakes,” but 2025 alone has witnessed numerous instances where technology’s profound impact has been undeniable. Consider the wildfires that ravaged the Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, and the historically Black community of Altadena. The community response efforts—particularly in the less affluent areas of Altadena—would have been unthinkable without technological intervention. Social media enabled millions of Americans, regardless of geographic location, to participate in recovery efforts. From facilitating monetary donations to the rapid dissemination of resources and information, technology defies reductive binary categorization. These platforms have infused the public sphere with a renewed sense of freedom and agency. Through digital networks and community building, working-class individuals are now empowered to practice principles of mutual aid and solidarity during crises. Moreover, these platforms serve as vital tools for critical inquiry and resistance against oppressive power structures in the United States. Their indispensable role in society is undeniable.

”Moreover, these platforms serve as vital tools for critical inquiry and resistance against oppressive power structures in the United States.”

The Other Side: The Price of Liberty

As is often the case, anything that delivers monumental value to society also carries significant risks and unintended consequences. Technology—particularly social media and smart devices—empowers users to present their best selves while streamlining nearly every aspect of daily life. However, this convenience comes at a steep cost: the erosion of personal privacy. The industry of data collection, tracking, and selling user information is projected to surpass $5 billion by 2028.* These corporations amass vast troves of personal data, monitoring our online behaviors, preferences, and interactions. The price of this unparalleled convenience is the near-total surrender of our digital identities to tech giants.

“What was once accepted as objective truth must now be rigorously scrutinized…”

If this weren’t alarming enough, we must also confront the pervasive influence of algorithms. Once celebrated as tools for organic connection and discovery, social media algorithms have become a significant detriment to the user experience. The For You Page (FYP), often perceived as a personalized curation built “brick-by-brick”, is in fact meticulously shaped by algorithmic design. The ads you see, the content you’re “suggested,” and even the narratives you encounter are dictated by the algorithm’s opaque logic. Without oversight, we risk enabling a digital empire where algorithms function as de facto dictators. The broader concern lies in the societal implications of these flawed systems. What was once accepted as objective truth must now be rigorously scrutinized, as algorithms increasingly shape our perceptions and realities. The tech giants behind these systems are driven by a singular goal: maximizing shareholder value. While this may come as no surprise to working-class individuals, the consequence is a world where private corporations wield unprecedented control over our truths and narratives.

Striking the Right Balance: Embracing Freedom Without Sacrificing Liberty

As the United States—and nations worldwide—continue to harness the freedoms enabled by technology, we must remain vigilant and critical of those in power, ensuring that our liberties are never bartered away in exchange for technological progress. While technology has undeniably elevated the quality of our lives, the cost of these advancements must never be the erosion of public freedom. It is crucial to remember that the political and economic incentives driving these innovations often prioritize control and profit over public good. Though technology has ushered in an era of unprecedented global communication and connection, the tech giants controlling these platforms perpetuate narratives and ideologies that serve their interests—not those of the public.

“Social media enabled millions of Americans, regardless of geographic location, to participate in recovery efforts.”

To be clear—this blog is not an indictment of technology. Rather, it serves as a timely reminder to approach its integration into our lives with intentionality and caution, particularly regarding the corporations that dominate the platforms we rely on. We must hold tech giants accountable by demanding stronger safeguards for user data privacy, greater transparency in corporate funding and expenditures, and the ethical implementation of technology. On a broader level, both governments and private entities bear a profound responsibility to protect and uphold digital freedom and liberty for all individuals.

The central question, then, is how we can ensure technology serves the greater good, without allowing the very companies we’ve come to rely on to undermine our collective values. It falls upon each of us to advocate for ethical practices and accountability within the tech industry. Only then can we fully harness the transformative potential of technology to build a more just and equitable world.