Decoder with Nilay Patel How Silicon Valley enshittified the internet
390 snips
Oct 30, 2025 
Cory Doctorow, an influential author and internet activist, delves into his concept of 'enshittification,' explaining how platforms decline and why this trend began around 2017. He highlights Facebook as a prime case of this decay, detailing its journey from innovation to mediocrity. Doctorow discusses the failures of U.S. tech regulation and contrasts the tech landscape with retail. He proposes solutions like sectoral bargaining and improved portability for users, and while he expresses hope for change, he remains critical of Big Tech's grip on the internet.
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Loss Of Tech-Sector Discipline
- Tech-specific discipline (interoperability, skeptical workers) kept platforms honest but was eroded by IP law, DRM, and mass layoffs.
- Losing these checks enabled apps and platforms to lock users and monetize by increasing invasiveness without fear of circumvention.
Garage-Opener App Shows Real Harm
- Chamberlain, a garage-door maker, removed HomeKit support and required their app which shows seven ads before opening your door.
- This example shows how vertical consolidation plus app lock-in produces real-world harms and invasive monetization.
Monopoly, Not Just Liability, Drove Decay
- Enshittification arose more from unchecked mergers and predatory tactics than from intermediary liability shields like CDA 230.
- Doctorow argues antitrust failures allowed Amazon and Google to buy or crush rivals, creating entrenched platforms that extract value.
