The Norwegian Consumer Council has launched a provocative campaign to combat what they term the "enshittification" of digital products and services. This initiative, which includes a humorous yet pointed video, aims to highlight the gradual decline in quality and user experience across various digital platforms. The campaign, backed by over 70 organizations across Europe and the U.S., is drawing attention to the pressing need for policy changes to protect consumers. This comprehensive guide covers ‘another internet is possible’: norway rails against ‘enshittification’ in detail.
Understanding ‘Another Internet Is Possible’: Norway Rails Against ‘enshittification’
The video released by the Norwegian Consumer Council opens with a man hiding under a bed, snipping a hole in a sock. He then uses a saw to shorten a table leg, causing it to wobble during breakfast. "My job is to make things shitty," he says. "The official title is enshittificator. What I do is I take things that are perfectly fine and I make them worse." While the absurdity of the scenario elicits laughter, it underscores a significant issue: the deterioration of digital experiences that users have come to accept as the norm. Originally reported by The Guardian.
Finn Lützow-Holm Myrstad, the Council's director of digital policy, explains that the aim of the campaign is to confront a reality that people wouldn't tolerate in their physical lives. "We wanted to show that you wouldn't accept this in the analogue world," he stated. The term enshittification, coined by author Cory Doctorow, encapsulates the deliberate degradation of services and products, particularly in the digital realm.
Global Coalition for Change
In a significant move, the Norwegian Consumer Council partnered with more than 70 groups and individuals from Europe and the U.S. in late February. This coalition includes trade unions, human rights organizations, and consumer advocacy groups that collectively urge policymakers in 14 countries to take action against enshittification. They argue that this decline is not an inevitable outcome but rather a consequence of conscious policy decisions.
"Another internet is possible," Lützow-Holm Myrstad emphasized. He noted that the status quo is unacceptable and called for a shift in how digital markets operate. In Norway, over 20 organizations have joined the call for reform, echoing sentiments similar to those expressed by consumer councils in 12 other countries. Their efforts are further amplified through letters sent to EU institutions and U.S. policymakers, advocating for consumer rights related to control, adaptability, and repair of digital products.
Empowering Consumers Through Policy Changes
The letters from the coalition urge policymakers to enhance consumer power, allowing users to control and modify the products they own. They also advocate for easing the transition between different digital services. Additionally, there's a push for stricter enforcement of existing consumer protection laws, which safeguard user data and promote competition within digital markets.
The campaign emphasizes that it's not too late to turn the tide against the trend of enshittification. Lützow-Holm Myrstad argues that real competition in the digital landscape is crucial. "Services don't need to be enshittified if we have real competition," he said, highlighting the importance of consumer choice in regulating market practices effectively.
A Growing Movement Gains Traction
The campaign has resonated with the public, as evidenced by the video amassing millions of views across various platforms. The response has been overwhelming, with more than 9,000 comments on YouTube alone. The accompanying report on enshittification has also seen substantial engagement, being downloaded over 6,000 times. Lützow-Holm Myrstad noted, "We've never experienced anything like it; it really strikes a nerve with people. There seems to be an incredible amount of support to do something about this."
The Norwegian Consumer Council has a history of challenging big tech companies, having been one of the first organizations to accuse them of misleading users regarding data privacy in 2018. Lützow-Holm Myrstad likens their current efforts to the biblical story of David and Goliath, expressing hope that collective international action will lead to meaningful change. "But in the story of David and Goliath, David won in the end, right?" he added, reinforcing the belief that their unified voice can prompt a shift in the digital landscape.
With increasing public awareness and support, the Norwegian Consumer Council's campaign against enshittification is poised to become a significant force for change, advocating for a digital world that prioritizes user experience and consumer rights.
Originally reported by The Guardian. View original.