Feudalism in cyberspace

The concept of feudalism in cyberspace—often called technofeudalism or digital feudalism—is a metaphor used to describe the growing concentration of power and control in the hands of a few dominant tech companies within the digital realm. This comparison draws parallels between the hierarchical, land-based power structures of medieval feudalism and the platform-based dominance of today’s tech giants.

Key features of "feudalism" in cyberspace include:

• : Companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta are likened to feudal lords who control vast digital "estates" (platforms, clouds, data centers) and set the terms for those who wish to participate in their domains124.

• : Everyday internet users, small businesses, and even governments become dependent on these platforms for access, visibility, and essential services. Much like serfs, they have limited control over the rules and often pay for access or visibility, while the platform owners extract value from their data and activities124.

• : In this model, data replaces land as the primary source of wealth and power. Control over data and digital infrastructure enables tech companies to shape markets, influence behavior, and accumulate unprecedented economic and political influence134.

• : Businesses and individuals are increasingly reliant on a handful of platforms for commerce, communication, and even social interaction, echoing the dependence of medieval peasants on their lords for access to land and protection124.

• : The global reach and complexity of these digital "fiefdoms" often outpace traditional regulatory frameworks, making it difficult for governments to check their power or enforce accountability4.

:

• Some, like economist Yanis Varoufakis, argue that this represents a fundamental shift away from classic capitalism toward a new form of digital feudalism, where value extraction and control are based less on market competition and more on monopolistic ownership of digital infrastructure14.

• Critics of the metaphor point out important differences: the digital economy is highly dynamic, with innovation and competition still possible, and access to information is far more democratized than in medieval societies. Unlike feudal lords, tech companies can be challenged by new entrants and regulatory action4.

• The metaphor is valuable for highlighting power imbalances, lack of user control, and the potential for exploitation in the digital economy, but it should not be taken as a literal equivalence. The digital world is more interconnected, global, and subject to evolving governance than the localized, rigid hierarchies of historical feudalism45.

:

• The "feudal internet" also describes the lack of user control over security and privacy. Users must trust platform owners to protect their data, but have little recourse if those owners fail or act against their interests6.

:
The metaphor of feudalism in cyberspace captures the growing hierarchical control, data-driven power, and user dependency within the digital ecosystem, raising important questions about ownership, agency, and regulation in the age of big tech1245.

1. https://thebeautifultruth.org/the-basics/what-is-technofeudalism/
2. https://www.thegazelle.org/issue/268/digital-middle-ages
3. https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/mrcbg/programs/growthpolicy/digital-feudalism-future-data-capitalism-shoshana-zuboff
4. https://petrapalusova.com/articles/tech-platforms-digital-economy-techno-feudalism
5. https://btlj.org/data/articles2015/vol17/17_4/17-berkeley-tech-l-j-1207-1264.pdf
6. https://hbr.org/2013/06/you-have-no-control-over-s
7. https://www.reddit.com/r/worldbuilding/comments/ghe9rc/feudal_states_and_feudalism_in_science/
8. https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2016/07/26/is-this-the-scary-world-our-tech-revolution-will-create/