Silicon Values: The Future of Free Speech Under Surveillance Capitalism

Corporations and platforms now have more control over our ability to access information and share knowledge than any state, leading to a threat to our democracy. Jillian York proposes a user-powered movement against these platforms to demand change and a new form of ownership over our data.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Verso Books

The Internet, once heralded as a bastion of boundless freedom, has tragically devolved into a realm where corporations and platforms wield an unprecedented level of control over our access to information and ability to share knowledge. In her insightful book, Silicon Values, renowned campaigner Jillian York delves deep into the concerning erosion of our rights, meticulously examining how the insatiable desire of major corporations to harvest our personal data has led to a pervasive undermining of our autonomy. York also sheds light on how governments have resorted to the same technology to monitor citizens, posing a grave threat to our fundamental right to free speech. As a result, our daily lives, and even our most private thoughts, are being subjected to unprecedented surveillance.

The question of defining the boundaries between political debate and hate speech becomes increasingly pertinent, as it profoundly impacts our identity, ability to form communities, and our capacity to engage in peaceful protests. Moreover, the question of who regulates the censors becomes crucial, as it determines the extent to which our voices can be heard and our right to express ourselves is upheld. In the face of this existential threat to our democracy, York offers a compelling solution: a user-powered movement that demands transformative change and a new paradigm of ownership over our own data.

Through her impassioned advocacy and comprehensive analysis, York empowers readers to recognize the gravity of the situation and take action. She calls upon us to reclaim our rights, demand transparency from the platforms, and advocate for a democratic system that values privacy, freedom, and the empowerment of the individual. Silicon Values serves as a rallying cry for a society that values human dignity, social justice, and the preservation of our democratic ideals.

Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788738811