The Internet is starting to Break - Here's Why.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How Big Tech Companies Are Changing and What You Can Do About It

1. Understand the Pattern of Big Tech Companies:

   • Big tech companies tend to follow a pattern called "Ification," where they initially offer exceptional services to users to establish themselves in the market.

2. Example of Uber's Evolution:

   • Uber started by providing users with convenient, affordable, and reliable transportation services, quickly becoming an essential app for many.
   • As Uber gained market dominance, it shifted focus towards attracting and retaining drivers by offering incentives like sign-on bonuses, cashback on fuel, and surge pricing.

3. The Strategy of "Ification":

   • Companies like Uber aim to control both users and suppliers to build monopoly power and extract surplus value for themselves.

4. Introduction of Tiering:

   • Tiering involves splitting services into multiple tiers with different price points to offer more options but often leads to a degraded experience for lower-tier users.

5. Impact of Tiering on Users:

   • Tiering can result in longer wait times, reduced service quality, and higher prices for users who do not opt for premium tiers.

6. Effects of Tiering on Services like Netflix:

   • Services like Netflix introduced tiered pricing, where certain features like 4K quality were moved to higher-priced tiers, impacting the overall user experience.

7. Subscription Model Issues:

   • Companies like Amazon and Uber have shifted towards subscription-based models, where users may end up paying more for services that were once free or more affordable.

8. Dark Patterns and Manipulative Tactics:

   • Companies use dark patterns to manipulate users into continuing subscriptions, confusing website designs, and making it challenging to cancel services.

9. Strategies to Combat Subscription Overload:

   • Consider canceling subscriptions immediately after signing up for short-term use.
   • Rotate subscriptions for streaming services to watch desired content without long-term commitments.

10. Advocacy for Consumer-Friendly Policies:

    • Advocate for policies that allow smoother switching between platforms and hold companies accountable for delivering on their promises.

11. Support Ethical Companies:

    • Consider supporting companies that prioritize user experience, transparency, and fair pricing practices, such as Surfshark VPN.

12. Stay Informed and Engage:

    • Stay informed about how big tech companies operate and make conscious choices to support companies that align with your values and prioritize customer satisfaction.

By understanding the patterns and strategies employed by big tech companies, consumers can make informed decisions, advocate for consumer-friendly policies, and support ethical companies to promote a fair and transparent digital ecosystem.