Introduction: Why the Internet Is Broken

The internet, once celebrated as a tool for global connection, innovation, and equality, has become a battleground of manipulation, monopolies, and ethical compromise. What began as a decentralized space for creativity is now dominated by corporate giants whose actions prioritize profit over transparency and user empowerment.

I realized the depth of this issue while building Simply Sound Advice. Like countless creators and small platforms, I faced the reality of an internet system designed to benefit a few at the expense of the many. If you’ve ever felt manipulated by algorithms, worried about how your data is used, or wondered why authentic voices are drowned out by clickbait, you’re not alone.

This article explores why the internet is broken, acknowledges opposing perspectives, and offers actionable solutions to rebuild a fairer digital world.

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1. Signs That the Internet Is Broken

Corporate Monopolies

Major tech companies dominate key areas of the internet, consolidating power and limiting user choice:

1. Google (Search and AI)

• Market Share: Controls over 90% of the global search engine market (Statista).
• Innovation: Google’s dominance has driven advancements in AI and infrastructure, but at the cost of smaller competitors who struggle to innovate under its shadow.

2. Amazon (E-commerce)

• Market Share: Accounts for nearly 40% of U.S. e-commerce sales (Statista).
• Impact: While Amazon’s efficiency has transformed logistics, it’s come at the expense of small businesses forced to compete against its private-label products.

3. Meta (Social Media)

• Market Share: Owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, which dominate global communication (Statista).
• Challenge: Meta’s platforms promote pay-to-play models, reducing organic reach for businesses and creators while amplifying sponsored content.

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Exploitation of Creators

While platforms like YouTube and TikTok enable creators to reach vast audiences, they also trap them in exploitative dynamics:

• Revenue Cuts: YouTube takes 45% of ad revenue, leaving creators to absorb risks like fluctuating algorithms and demonetization.
• Dependence: Creators rely on platforms for visibility, but shifting policies or algorithm changes can erase their hard-earned audiences overnight.

Solution: Platforms like Ko-fi, Patreon, and Buy Me a Coffee allow creators to earn directly from their communities, reducing dependence on exploitative middlemen.

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Data Privacy Violations

The internet runs on data—yours. Big tech companies leverage this data for profit, often with little regard for user consent:

• Cambridge Analytica: Facebook’s data breach exposed how personal information was weaponized to influence elections (The Guardian).
• Targeted Manipulation: Misinformation campaigns use hyper-specific user data to spread divisive content, eroding public trust.

Users often feel powerless, unaware of the scale or implications of their data being harvested and sold.

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Manipulative Algorithms

Algorithms shape what we see, hear, and believe. While they can deliver personalized experiences—like educational content or mental health resources—these benefits come at a cost:

• Addiction: Features like infinite scrolling exploit psychological triggers to keep users engaged.
• Polarization: Algorithms amplify content that elicits strong emotions, such as outrage or fear, creating echo chambers and intensifying societal divisions.

A 2023 Pew Research study found that 60% of users felt algorithms trapped them in cycles of repetitive or biased content (Pew Research).

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2. The Consequences for Users

Erosion of Trust

Years of data scandals, misinformation, and opaque practices have eroded trust in tech platforms:

• Only 34% of people trust social media companies to act ethically (2023 Edelman Trust Barometer).
• Users are increasingly skeptical of the content they consume, questioning its authenticity and motives.

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Over-Reliance on Ads

The internet’s ad-driven economy prioritizes content that maximizes clicks, often at the expense of accuracy or quality.

• Clickbait Culture: Sensational headlines drive traffic but leave readers misinformed.
• Creators Sidelined: Ad-heavy platforms prioritize paid content, marginalizing organic creators and small businesses.

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Lack of Ethical Alternatives

While tools like DuckDuckGo, Brave Browser, and Ecosia offer alternatives, they remain overshadowed by monopolistic platforms. Users often feel stuck, unsure how to escape exploitative systems.

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3. A Path Forward: Building a Better Internet

The Vision of Simply Sound Advice

At Simply Sound Advice, we’re building an internet that prioritizes:

• Transparency: Users should know how their data is collected, stored, and used.
• Fairness: Creators deserve equitable compensation for their contributions.
• Empowerment: Tools and content should empower users, not manipulate them.

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Actionable Steps for Users

1. Support Ethical Platforms
   • DuckDuckGo: Private search engine.
   • Brave Browser: Blocks trackers and ads.
   • Ecosia: Plants trees with ad revenue.
2. Protect Your Data
   • ProtonMail: Encrypted email.
   • Signal: Secure messaging.
3. Diversify Income Streams
   • Use Patreon, Ko-fi, or Buy Me a Coffee to build direct relationships with your audience.
   • Create independent spaces like blogs or newsletters to reduce dependence on centralized platforms.

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Join the Fight

Every revolution needs its supporters. At Simply Sound Advice, we’re creating tools, content, and resources to empower users and challenge the status quo.

Help us lead the fight. Even $1 can make a difference.
Donate Today and be part of a growing movement committed to transparency, integrity, and positive change.

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FAQs: Why the Internet Is Broken

1. What does it mean when we say the internet is broken?

The phrase “the internet is broken” refers to systemic issues in how the digital world operates. These include monopolistic control by large corporations, invasive data privacy practices, manipulative algorithms, and the exploitation of creators. These problems prioritize profits over transparency, fairness, and user empowerment.

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2. How do monopolies like Google and Amazon contribute to the problem?

Google, Amazon, and similar companies dominate their respective industries, limiting competition and user choice. For example:

• Google controls over 90% of the search engine market, shaping what information is accessible.
• Amazon captures nearly 40% of U.S. e-commerce, making it hard for smaller businesses to compete.
  This consolidation stifles innovation and creates a system where smaller players and users are at a disadvantage.

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3. Are there any benefits to algorithms and data collection?

When used ethically, algorithms and data collection can offer benefits:

• Personalization: Algorithms can recommend educational content, mental health resources, or products tailored to user needs.
• Efficiency: Data can improve user experiences, like showing nearby services or streamlining logistics.
  However, the lack of transparency and prioritization of profit over ethics often turns these advantages into tools for manipulation.

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4. What are the long-term impacts of data privacy violations?

Data privacy violations have serious consequences:

• Political Manipulation: Misuse of data has been linked to election interference and misinformation campaigns (e.g., Cambridge Analytica).
• Loss of Autonomy: Users lose control over their personal information, leading to invasive advertising and potential security risks.
• Erosion of Trust: People become skeptical of platforms and hesitant to share information, limiting the internet’s potential for collaboration and innovation.

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5. How can creators reduce their reliance on exploitative platforms?

Creators can take steps to diversify their income streams and regain control:

• Use platforms like Patreon, Ko-fi, or Buy Me a Coffee to receive direct support from their audience.
• Develop self-hosted websites or newsletters to build an independent community.
• Leverage alternative platforms like Substack for subscription-based monetization.
  These strategies help creators reduce their dependence on platforms that prioritize their own profits over creators’ success.

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6. What are ethical alternatives to big tech platforms?

Several ethical platforms prioritize transparency and user empowerment:

• DuckDuckGo: A private search engine that doesn’t track your activity.
• Brave Browser: Blocks ads and trackers by default, offering a faster, more secure browsing experience.
• Ecosia: A search engine that uses ad revenue to plant trees.
• Signal: A secure messaging app with end-to-end encryption.
  Switching to these tools allows users to protect their privacy and support platforms that align with ethical practices.

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7. How can users support the movement for a better internet?

There are several ways to contribute to building a better internet:

1. Advocate for Policy Changes: Support stronger data privacy laws and transparency requirements for platforms.
2. Support Ethical Platforms: Use tools like ProtonMail, Brave, and DuckDuckGo instead of big tech alternatives.
3. Support Creators Directly: Fund independent creators through donation platforms or by purchasing their products and services.
4. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about how your data is used and take steps to protect it.

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8. Is it realistic to expect change, given the power of tech giants?

Yes, change is possible, but it requires collective effort:

• Public pressure has led to significant changes, such as the EU’s GDPR privacy laws and increased scrutiny of tech companies’ practices.
• Supporting ethical platforms and creators, even in small ways, can help shift the balance of power away from monopolies.
• By advocating for transparency and fair practices, users can create demand for a better, more ethical internet.

Conclusion to Why the Internet Is Broken

Imagine an internet where innovation thrives, creators are valued, and privacy is respected. A place where algorithms enhance experiences instead of exploiting them. That future isn’t a dream—it’s within reach, but only if we work together to build it.

The internet doesn’t have to stay broken. Join us at Simply Sound Advice to lead the charge for a better digital future.

Resources for Further Reading

1. Simply Sound Advice: Rebuilding the Internet
2. SimplySoundAdvice: Is Google Morphing into an Evil Monopoly? Insights and Reflections
3. SimplySoundAdvice: TikTok and the Broken Internet: Why the Ban on January 19th Reflects a Deeper Issue
4. Pew Research: The Effects of Algorithms
5. Edelman Trust Barometer
6. The Guardian: Cambridge Analytica Files
7. Statista: Global Search Engine Market Share
8. EFF: Fighting for Online Privacy