Title: The Concentration of Power in the Tech Industry: A Threat to Society’s Future
Subtitle: An in-depth conversation with Meredith Whittaker on AI, disinformation, surveillance, and the importance of decentralization
**The Power Imbalance in AI and Europe’s Reliance on Tech Giants**
In an interview with Meredith Whittaker, President of Signal, the issue of power concentration in the tech industry takes center stage. Whittaker expresses her concern about the dominance of five major social media platforms, primarily based in the US and China. She highlights how this power imbalance affects Europe, its startups, governments, and institutions, as they rely on infrastructures controlled by these companies. With the prospect of a more authoritarian US government, the need for Europe to address concentrated power in the AI industry becomes even more pressing.
**The Illusion of Unregulated Technological Progress**
Whittaker challenges the notion that European regulation hampers technological progress. She emphasizes the importance of defining “progress” beyond mere financial success and instead focuses on technology that serves human needs and is accountable to citizens. She argues that casting off all guardrails in the name of progress would lead to the abuse of technologies that play a role in surveillance, social control, and labor degradation.
**The Real Threat: Hyperbolic Engagement and Social Media Platforms**
Discussing the issue of disinformation, Whittaker points out that the focus on deepfakes overlooks a much larger problem—massive social media platforms that prioritize engagement over facts. These platforms are incentivized to promote sensationalized, false, and hyperbolic content, which poses a significant threat to society. Whittaker contends that addressing disinformation requires a broader conversation about the role these platforms play in cannibalizing the media and information ecosystem.
**Surveillance Advertising: Cutting at the Root of Tech Industry Pathologies**
Whittaker proposes that banning surveillance advertising would be a crucial step in addressing the pathologies of the tech industry. By disrupting the mass surveillance employed to influence consumer behavior and political choices, society can take a significant stride toward better rules and outcomes for online platforms.
**The Dangers of Encryption Backdoors and Online Safety**
Whittaker firmly states that Signal will never comply with any legislation requiring encryption backdoors. She highlights the importance of digital security as a matter of life and death for many individuals. She expresses concerns about the Online Safety Bill in the UK, suggesting that implementing client-side scanning or any form of backdoor compromises the confidentiality, authenticity, and privacy that encryption provides.
**The EU-CSAM Proposals: A Backdoor Threat to Core Infrastructures**
Whittaker strongly opposes the proposed EU Directive concerning Child Sexual Abuse Material (EU-CSAM), labeling it as “absolutely dangerous.” She questions the effectiveness of the proposed measures and criticizes the heavy influence of lobbyists from the scanning and biometrics industry in shaping the legislation. Whittaker argues that rather than focusing on encryption backdoors, attention should be directed toward funding social services and addressing the real issues that impact children’s well-being.
**Decentralized AI: A Slogan Without Substance**
When asked about the concept of decentralized AI, Whittaker demands a clear argument and architecture. She challenges the vagueness surrounding the term and advocates for a more detailed understanding of what exactly is being decentralized.
**Signal’s Clash with Telegram and the Recklessness of False Claims**
Whittaker addresses Pavel Durov’s false claims about Signal’s security. She emphasizes that Signal has a decade-long track record of openness and transparency, with its protocols, code, and implementations being open source. Whittaker criticizes Durov’s reckless behavior, which not only harms real people but also undermines the trust and security that Signal provides to vulnerable communities.
**Europe’s Importance: A Focus on Privacy and Flexibility**
Whittaker reveals her plan to spend the next six months in Europe, focusing on the European market and connections. She highlights the significance of Europe as a privacy-preserving app in the face of political uncertainty in the US. Additionally, Whittaker mentions her upcoming book, which will document her two decades of work in the field.
In conclusion, Meredith Whittaker’s insights shed light on the urgent need to address power concentration in the tech industry, combat disinformation on social media platforms, protect privacy and encryption, and focus on technology that serves humanity’s best interests. By understanding these critical issues and taking action, society can strive for a more equitable and accountable future in the digital age.