What if everything we do online is quietly being turned against us?
What if everything we do online is quietly being turned against us?
The current social media landscape is riddled with problems that compromise user privacy, fairness, and well-being. Platforms prioritize profit over people, leading to exploitation and manipulation. Algorithms are designed to maximize engagement, often by exploiting our psychological vulnerabilities, fueling addictive behaviors, mental health issues, and even swaying public opinion.
Addressing these problems requires a fundamental shift toward more ethical and user-centric social media platforms. Only by demanding and supporting such change can we create a digital environment that respects and protects all users.
Consent: An Illusion?
When was the last time you actually read a cookie policy or privacy agreement before clicking "Accept"? Most of us don’t. The design of these notifications—strategically overwhelming and intentionally inconvenient—isn’t a bug; it’s a feature. And while that data might seem inconsequential—your browsing habits, shopping preferences, or the videos you watch late at night—it forms the cornerstone of a digital empire that thrives on knowing you better than you know yourself.
When we give companies access to our data, we’re giving them the power to shape not just our choices but the direction of society. As Shoshana Zuboff explains in her work on surveillance capitalism, this isn’t just about showing us ads—it’s about influencing how we think, what we want, and even how we vote. The more data they collect, the better they get at controlling our behavior.
We’ve accepted this as the cost of a "free" internet. But convenience and connection come at a steep price: our privacy. This imbalance deepens with every click, every piece of data surrendered.
The good news? This isn’t inevitable. As Carissa Véliz reminds us: “technology doesn’t happen to us — we make it happen”. Saying no to manipulative design, demanding transparency, and supporting policies that prioritize users’ rights are essential steps to reclaiming autonomy.
A better digital future
Imagine a world where your data isn´t a product to be sold, but a part of your digital identity you control. Where social media platforms are built on the principles of transparency, fairness, and respect for privacy. We need to understand how the current social media model is unfair and unethical and move away from the practices of the past.
Privacy concerns, ethical data use and corporate responsibility are the pillars of a new social media model that respects you, the user.
Progress doesn’t mean surrendering to every technological development. True progress is ethical, sustainable, and human-centered. The time has come to push back against the systems that exploit our digital footprints and insist on a future where technology serves people, not the other way around.
The choice is ours. Together, we can navigate the social media maze and build a digital world that truly serves the greater good and restore the integrity of social media. That´s one of the goals we are aiming towards in Nocena.
The social media revolution is here. Be part of it.
