A Common Platform: Reimagining Data and Platforms

This report outlines the current political economy of platforms and data in the US and UK, as well as key policies, regulations, and legislation in the data and technology industry. It presents five foundational principles to guide a transformative agenda in platforms and data including, Privacy and anti-surveillance, from enclosure to the commons, Global multi-stakeholder governance, reducing corporate concentration and power, and increasing public funding. With these principles at the forefront, policy solutions include Democratic Public Ownership, a “New Deal” for workers and unions, public and democratic control of personal data, and Digital Community Wealth Building, among others. The increasing monopoly power of tech giants and their abuse of algorithm bias and surveillance capitalism highlights the need for greater anti-trust efforts in the US.