The Norwegian Consumer Council (NCC) has launched a global campaign aimed at shedding light on a phenomenon known as "digital decline" or "enshitification," which refers to the deterioration of user experience on social media platforms due to the introduction of paid features. The campaign comes at a time when concerns are growing about how these changes are impacting users worldwide.
A viral video produced by the NCC, which has garnered millions of views, illustrates how user experience can decline when platforms introduce intrusive advertisements or subscriptions that complicate usage. The council has pointed out that this phenomenon is not merely coincidental but rather a result of strategic decisions made by major companies.
Details of the Campaign
As part of the campaign, over 70 consumer rights advocacy groups from the United States, the European Union, and Norway have sent letters to politicians in more than 14 countries, demanding stricter laws against "digital decline." According to the council, this phenomenon involves companies exploiting user needs, leading to a decline in the quality of services provided.
Journalist Cory Doctorow is credited with coining the term "digital decline" in 2023, highlighting that platforms initially offer good services to users, only to later misuse these services for the benefit of their corporate clients. Ultimately, these practices lead to a general deterioration of the user experience.
Background & Context
Historically, social media platforms experienced intense competition in their early days, forcing them to enhance their services to meet the needs of both users and advertisers. Over time, mergers and acquisitions have led to market concentration, reducing the pressure on these platforms to provide high-quality services. The acquisition of Facebook by Instagram in 2012 is considered a significant turning point in this trend.
Reports indicate that digital platforms have become more capable of modifying their services in ways that harm users, as digital products can be altered more easily than physical products. This means that many digital products have seen the proliferation of anti-consumer and anti-competitive practices.
Impact & Consequences
Concerns are rising about how "digital decline" affects users, with analysis showing that companies often prioritize profit over service quality improvement. Paul Richter, a fellow at the Bruegel research center, notes that reduced competition makes it easier for these platforms to deliver lower-quality services.
Addressing this phenomenon requires incentives for companies to focus on improving user experience, which may necessitate the emergence of alternative platforms capable of competing. However, Richter warns that market forces alone may not be sufficient to achieve this, necessitating government intervention.
Regional Significance
In the Arab region, this issue is particularly significant, as many users rely on social media for communication and staying updated on events. With the increasing reliance on these platforms, the phenomenon of "digital decline" could significantly impact the user experience for Arab users, making it essential to have legislation that protects their rights.
In conclusion, the global campaign launched by the Norwegian Consumer Council stands out as an important step towards addressing issues related to the decline in the quality of digital services. It is crucial for governments worldwide, including those in the Arab countries, to adopt effective measures to protect consumer rights and ensure a better user experience.