Remember when smoking was everywhere? It wasn’t just accepted. It was an integral part of society, from television screens to family gatherings and, yes, even to schools. Fast forward a few decades, and the situation in much of the world couldn’t be more different. Smoking in public spaces has primarily become a thing of the past. We recognized that smoking is harmful, and as a society, we pulled together to do something concrete about it. Now that we are in a similar situation with Big Tech, we can learn a lot from the last time we put a powerful industry in its place to stop putting profits before people. So, what lessons from that battle can we use now? Can the strategies that curbed the tobacco industry’s dominance be applied to regulate today’s tech giants? What are the tobacco industry’s lessons for big tech?
The Turning Tide Against Tobacco
I remember when the smell of smoke was simply a part of being in public, even in restaurants. Sure, there were non-smoking sections, but they never really worked. The idea that this could ever change seemed ludicrous. The tobacco industry reigned supreme back then, and their power seemed unshakeable. Not only did tobacco companies have deep pockets and political clout, but cigarettes are also addictive, so a large section of society wasn’t ready to give them up so easily. Yet, as the health implications of smoking and secondhand smoke became undeniable, a societal shift occurred. Laws started being enacted, and people actually followed them. I specifically remember when Italy first banned smoking in restaurants and bars. I was living north of the border in Austria at the time, and no one believed the Italians would follow the law. “They enjoy relaxing and chatting with friends way too much to give up the smoking part of that,” we thought. “They will just ignore it.” Yet, they did, and suddenly, they were a shining example of what you can achieve when you put your mind to something. It was a lesson in the power of collective will.
Big Tech's Tight Grip
Fast forward to today, where Big Tech seems invincible. While the health risks of smoking are undeniable, the harms caused by Big Tech platforms are more complex and multifaceted. Issues like privacy breaches, mental health impacts, and the spread of misinformation can be harder to quantify. Like tobacco companies, these digital companies often prioritize profits over people, and their products can be addictive. This comes at the expense of privacy, mental health, and truth. We’re all watching, increasingly concerned, as these platforms became arenas for misinformation, privacy breaches, and a breeding ground of mental and physical damage for their users. The question now is, what can we do about it? Can we employ the lessons from the tobacco industry to reel in the excesses of Big Tech? Yes, we can. Here are my thoughts on the inspiration we can take from the key milestones in breaking our societal smoking habit.
Raising Awareness Through Shocking Evidence
A significant turning point in the battle against tobacco came when the public was confronted with undeniable, often shocking, evidence of the health risks associated with smoking. Who else remembers how the warnings on packing became more and more graphic? The same level of awareness needs to happen with impacts in the digital space. However, unlike graphic images of diseased lungs, the damage caused by Big Tech can be less clear-cut. That doesn’t mean that it is any less severe. We need to present compelling evidence on the negative consequences for mental health, privacy erosion, and democratic processes. Documentaries, investigative journalism, and testimonies can play a crucial role in increasing awareness.
Mobilizing Public Opinion through Education
As awareness about the harms of smoking grew, public health campaigns and education initiatives played a key role in changing perceptions. It wasn’t just about highlighting the risks but also educating the public on the benefits of quitting smoking. For Big Tech, this means turbo-charging educational campaigns that inform users about data privacy, the importance of digital well-being, and the societal impacts of misinformation, effectively mobilizing public opinion toward demanding regulatory action. From this perspective, it is important to point out another significant difference between the harms of tobacco and tech industries. Public education campaigns about smoking focused on established health risks. Educating users about Big Tech requires ongoing research and communication regarding the constantly changing impact of these platforms.
Legislative Action Initiated by Grassroots Pressure
The shift in public opinion on smoking led to increased grassroots pressure on policymakers to take action against tobacco companies. This step is critical for tech regulation. The public must demand action to push legislators to pass laws aimed at protecting users’ data, curbing harmful content, and ensuring transparency in digital advertising and algorithms. With laws in place, the next step for tobacco control was the strict enforcement of these regulations, including smoking bans, advertising restrictions, and packaging laws. For the tech industry, implementing comprehensive data protection laws, content moderation policies, and antitrust actions will be necessary, along with establishing bodies to enforce these regulations effectively. This must be done in ways the general public can easily understand, just like the graphic images on cigarette packages.
Cultivating a Culture of Responsibility and Ethical Consumption
Finally, a significant achievement in tobacco regulation was the shift towards a culture prioritizing health and responsible consumption. In the digital realm, cultivating a culture that values privacy, critical thinking online, and ethical use of technology is essential. Users need to demand more responsible platforms but also take ownership of their digital habits. People must be mindful of what information they share and how they engage with these platforms. Just as smokers had to decide to kick the habit, so, too, do tech users need to decide to consume more responsibly. Taking the situation on from both sides helps ensure long-lasting change.
Beyond Regulation: Building a Responsible Digital Future
So, what are the tobacco industry’s lessons for big tech? What can we take from these parallels? Even with regulations, the tobacco industry continues to exert influence. Regulating Big Tech will likely be a similar long-term battle. After all, it isn’t about destroying the industry. Tech also brings a lot of benefits to society. It is more about reducing the collateral damage along the way. When I think about my experience of watching society shift from a smoke-filled world to one where public health was prioritized, it gives me hope. Throughout history, the masses have repeatedly proven that they can make change happen if they work together. Having witnessed the unassailable power of the tobacco industry curbed also reminds me that the same can happen with the digital giants of our time. Change is possible when we unite for the common good and the benefit of those who come after us.
For more expert opinions on the topics of responsible use of technology, you can check out these videos:
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This article originally appeared on the Data Girl and Friends website: Tobacco’s Lessons for Making Big Tech Prioritize User Well-being – Data Girl and Friends (data-girl-and-friends.com)