Politicians will receive compulsory reading. Big Tech has an increasing impact on governments

From the day of the premiere, the book of journalist Sylwia Czubkowska “God Techy” arouses great interest. In recent days an initiative has appeared that can help change the way Polish parliamentarians approach the issue of technology and its role in society. The Digital Europe Foundation, in cooperation with the National Chamber of Electronics and Telecommunications and the National Ethernet Communication Chamber, provided 600 copies of the book to the Sejm.

The next series of books will also go to the Senate of the Republic of Poland – all senators and senators – assures Piotr Mieczkowski, managing director of the Digital Europe Foundation.

“Thech god” – that is, Big Tech from the backstage

The book “God of Techy” This is a reliable and accessible analysis of the role of the largest players on the technology market, such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple or Microsoft. Czubkowska, a journalist specializing in the subject of new technologies, presents the mechanisms of the operation of these global giants with their inquisitiveness and precision. Her book focuses on how these companies shape social, political and economic life, not only at global level, but also in the context of Poland and the European Union.

In the book, the author raises a number of key issues related to the activities of “Big Techów”. He talks about their impact on shaping public opinion, their role in monopolizing digital markets and problems related to privacy and data security. An important issue raised in the book is also “astroturfing”, i.e. artificial creation of apparent social support, which in the era of social media became a dangerous tool for manipulation.

The book also shows how large digital platforms shape legal regulations, often acting on the border of law and ethics. We observe with concern how some of these companies can today influence legislative decisions, blocking access to important data, limiting competition or influencing the decisions of government around the world.

Reading that will change the approach to digital policy?

Piotr Mieczkowski, managing director of the Digital Europe Foundation, in the post published on LinkedIn, drew attention to the importance of this initiative, talking about the book as a valuable tool to understand contemporary challenges in the world of technology. On behalf of the organization, he transferred copies of the book to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, which will go not only to deputies, but also to senators. He emphasized that this is a symbolic gesture that aims to draw politicians’ attention to challenges related to digital sovereignty, technology autonomy in Europe and threats related to the growing dominance of American giants.

In a letter to parliamentarians, which accompanies the book, the authors of the campaign emphasize the importance of the public debate on technological regulations is based on knowledge and reliable analyzes. “God of Techy” is to be a bridge for a deeper reflection on the role that technologies should play in society, as well as about the ways in which politicians should react to the growing power of technology companies.

The role of the book “God Techy” in the debate for digital sovereignty

The modern digital world is dominated by several huge corporations that control access to the Internet, services markets and data. There is a growing fear that too much concentration of power in the hands of several companies can lead to threats related to security, privacy, as well as a limitation of freedom of speech or influence on political choices. In such circumstances, the topic of digital sovereignty becomes one of the key issues of modern politics.

Postparting initiative “God of Techy” To the Polish parliament is a step towards a more conscious technological policy, based on facts and reliable analyzes. It is also an appeal to politicians, so that they not only react to the challenges related to the development of technology, but also actively shape the future of digital Europe, taking care of its sovereignty and autonomy.