Opinion: The world has moved on. But it need not stay this way forever

Abstract

ABSTRACT In 2022, the author, Cory Doctorow, coined the term “enshittification” to describe how the internet is declining in value to its end-users, due to the prevalence of monopolies and an emphasis on short-term gain over upholding long-term standards and practices. He diagnosed a cycle that has become common to digital platform decay: Tech giants initially lure users, then gradually squeeze business clients and end-users, until the giants finally trash the entire experience to maximize profit for shareholders. In this 2026 essay, he argues that enshittification is spreading to other areas as well—some of which are vital to the functioning of Western democracies in the 21st century. Doctorow offers his opinion as to the specific sources of the problem, and how to combat them.