Center for Digital Democracy news about digital technologies and their impact on democracy, equity, fairness, community. @digitaldemoc.bsky.socia
Washington, D.C.
Joined July 2013
- Tweets5.6K
- Following705
- Followers1.8K
- Likes2K
A key to exposing surveillance pricing in next Congress are the many "retail media" data monetization systems in place across credit cards, dollar & drug stores, airlines, retailers, supermarkets. Follow the data to help save Americans $ at the store. Privacy advocates happy to help!
We need digital media reform for US democracy. Control over media revenues dominated by a triopoly--Google, Meta, Amazon--with large other AI-led networks able to leverage data/monetization/distribution. Require limits on platform control over data & expanded control & use of public airwaves (spectrum) to enhance civic communications & competition.
One crucial Gen AI issue congressional hearing--its use in selling & influencing public--via marketing, agentic commerce & role of AI-led platforms, retailers & agencies. Growing threats to privacy, financial well-being, health, youth. Bring in Google, Meta, Amazon, TikTok, big ad agencies, brands--all of which are now Gen AI "First" enterprises. Time to intervene is now as industry sets the terms. For ex. iabtechlab.com/standards/aam…
For new Congress--reform FCC Spectrum policy. The public isn't getting the benefits of public airwaves--when powerful, unaccountable, telecom giants control key wireless & broadband resources. There are related nat'l security & corruption issues too. Let's put the public back in public airwaves. Lower costs, ensure competition, a democracy digital backbone.
telecomtv.com/content/access…
It's all about Google wanting to capture them young for their AI-powered Gen AI marketing machine.
Google is using its “search monopoly to coerce schools” into adopting its A.I., says former FTC chair @linamkhan
As the public increasingly pushes back against Al in schools, she says "Google is making clear it will punish those who don’t fall in line.”
nytimes.com/2026/11/03/us/go…
There should be no new appointments to the #FTC until we restore bipartisan operations at the agency. Otherwise Americans left unprotected from now unchecked consumer harms across the landscape. In addition, we need promise of agency independence. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Google's AI "smoking gun" action here illustrates how Gen AI powered digital marketing is increasingly directing AI's evolution, with further loss of privacy, autonomy & # of economic harms for public. U.S. failed to regulate commercial surveillance in broadband era; repeat performance in Gen AI Adtech era. Industry already crafted global standards etc. Ex: iab.com/guidelines/measuring…
📝STATEMENT: Google is trying to strong-arm schools by turning off search in schools that reject Google AI.
Read our reaction below from Fairplay Executive Director Josh Golin ⬇️
"Google's attempt to strong-arm schools into using its AI products is likely to backfire. Schools should use this opportunity not only to turn off AI, but to teach students that 'Google' isn't a verb, but the name of a surveillance and advertising company whose presence in schools has nothing to do with learning and everything to do with developing lifetime brand loyalty.
"Because AI isn't safe for kids and undermines education and critical thinking, schools should turn off Google's AI tools the minute that option becomes available. And rather than fret about losing access to Google search, schools should use this opportunity to help students find more privacy-protective alternatives for search, as well as ways to do more substantive research beyond search and click."
Role of AI & adtech used to target consumers by #Doordash key issue as it proposes to buy #Instacart. "Symbiosys, a DoorDash co.... powers offsite and onsite across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC — connecting retail audiences to consumers..." careersatdoordash.com/blog/b…
See video symbiosys.ai
We're calling on the FTC to block this merger.
As @owenslindsay1 calls out, DoorDash is openly touting plans to combine the companies' AI-powered pricing tools.
"Two of the biggest ripoff machines should not be allowed to become one."
See Doordash video & recent Instacart post for some extra "flavor" regarding the implications of proposed deal.
company.instacart.com/enterp…
youtube.com/watch?v=uKo19z6T…
The #Doordash #Instacart proposed deal illustrates how affordability for consumers can be linked to the data & digital marketing practices of retailers--what we buy; how we buy; the endless # of partners. about.doordash.com/en-us/new…
There are many reasons to deeply investigate #Doordash #Instacart deal, inc. data generated by their respective retail media operations. We expect fed, state and Canadian regulators to dive in. See, for a start: advertising.doordash.com/en-…
company.instacart.com/enterp…
BREAKING: DoorDash just agreed to buy Instacart for $17 billion. Here's what that means for customers and shoppers. apnews.com/article/doordash-…
A #doordash takeover of #Instacart would be key test for US & global antitrust, privacy & consumer protection regulators, inc. on role of AI. Raises serious concerns across the board. Background reading: bit.ly/4suNKcK; bit.ly/4yOO9Iu
Another AI financial risk. With ads & marketing core biz model for much of Gen AI, explosive corp debt will unleash more commercial surveillance to sell brands, products, influence. Public will be sold off in new & powerful ways, as digital manipulation goes full AGI.
This Boom Looks a Lot Like the Housing Bubble nytimes.com/2026/10/25/opini… via @NYTOpinion
Why should taxpayers subsidize Trillionaires and Tech Moguls funding political ads using our public airwaves. Time for a U.S.A "Democracy Dividend" that lowers streaming, wireless & broadband bills for consumers. Reform the FCC & ensure public receives fair share from benefits of our airwaves (spectrum), not special interests.
Reform of U.S. spectrum policy urgently req'd. Auctions and licensing has given few benefits to public, versus the giveaway of taxpayer assets. This election cycle broadcasters alone--who get gift of spectrum for free--will rake in $5.6 b from political ads. Profits from other spectrum giveaways can be used in ways that can undermine democracy. We need policy that really benefits Americans and also brings down costs--for wireless, streaming & ensure public gets a "democracy dividend," inc. role of big money in politics.
bit.ly/4yzDZv5
Advocates & regulators also need to follow the data+$, including Dollar General's retail media system. dgmedianetwork.com/
This is the time to regulate Gen AI ad practices, as they adopt all the time-tested strategies of global commercial surveillance marketing operating (such as leveraging the "user journey"). Failure to do will bring repeats of social media & many other serious harms. This doc illustrates how rapidly the market has developed. help.openai.com/en/articles/…
The consolidation of potentially politically aligned media requires more than scrutiny. We have a vast growing global intertwined set of major media holdings, inc. Starlink, Skydance/Warner/CBS/Paramount/CNN plus one should analyze Redbird related EU and ME operations. Illustrates failure of regulation on mergers, spectrum, competition & ensuring diverse voices for democracy.
semafor.com/article/10/22/20…
