Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It.
The book Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It by Cory Doctorow explores the phenomenon where digital platforms, once useful and user-friendly, gradually degrade in quality, often (mostly) prioritizing profit, advertising, or shareholder value over user experience. Doctorow argues this “enshittification” is a systemic outcome of platform capitalism, where companies optimize for extraction rather than value.
The term “enshittification” itself, coined by Doctorow, describes the process by which platforms become increasingly unusable, cluttered, or exploitative — not because of technical failure, but by design.
Doctorow proposes solutions centered on regulation, interoperability, and user empowerment, advocating for policies that force platforms to open up, allow data portability, and reduce monopolistic control.
Cory Doctorow’s proposed solutions to counter “enshittification” are rooted in structural reform of digital platforms, not just user behavior or incremental fixes. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Regulation
Doctorow advocates for strong, enforceable antitrust and platform regulation, not just fines, but rules that prevent platforms from abusing their gatekeeper power. Examples:
- Breaking up monopolies or forcing divestitures (e.g., separating search from advertising, or social media from payment systems).
- Prohibiting self-preferencing — platforms can’t favor their own services over competitors (e.g., Amazon promoting its own products over third-party sellers).
- Mandating transparency — requiring platforms to disclose algorithms, data practices, and moderation policies.
2. Interoperability
This means forcing platforms to connect and communicate with each other, so users aren’t locked in.
- Technical interoperability: Platforms must support open standards so users can move between services (e.g., messaging across WhatsApp, Signal, and iMessage).
- Data interoperability: Users should be able to export and import their data seamlessly (e.g., contacts, posts, photos).
- Example: The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) includes interoperability mandates and Doctorow sees this as a model, though he argues it needs stronger enforcement.
3. User Empowerment
Doctorow emphasizes giving users real control over their data, tools, and digital lives:
- Data portability: Users own their data and can move it freely, not just “download your data,” but “take your data and use it elsewhere.”
- Right to repair and modify: Users should be able to fix, customize, or replace software and hardware (e.g., sideloading apps, jailbreaking devices).
- Collective action: Supporting user-owned cooperatives or public alternatives (e.g., community-run social networks or email services).
Why these matter
Doctorow argues that without these reforms, platforms will keep degrading, because their business models reward extraction, not quality. Regulation stops abuse, interoperability breaks lock-in, and user empowerment restores agency.
These ideas are detailed in his essays, talks, and the book Enshittification and are increasingly echoed in policy debates across the EU, UK, and US.
For more details, you can refer to the book’s official page or reviews from reputable sources.