Books like The Internet Con by Cory Doctorow

In "The Internet Con," Cory Doctorow exposes how the promises of connection by leading tech platforms have become a façade for corporate exploitation and system lock‑in. He explains how social media giants like Twitter and Facebook create impermeable walled gardens that trap users and commodify their personal relationships. Doctorow presents interoperability—not merely a technical feature but a strategic countermeasure—as the only viable route to dismantle these monopolistic structures. By forcing Silicon Valley to share standards and open interfaces, users could leave platforms, remix content, and reconfigure devices without corporate permission, ultimately eroding the platforms’ dominance. The book serves as a practical guide for reclaiming autonomy on the internet, urging readers to reclaim their data and thwart the continued expansion of corporate control over the web.

First publish date: 2023