In today’s fast-changing world, the information people consume daily—through social media, news portals, search engines, and e-commerce platforms—increasingly influences every aspect of their lives. Whether shaping their voting behavior, deciding where to shop, or determining what to search for and how, information is a pivotal force. Over the past 20-30 years, companies that hold our data have also amassed substantial market power, reshaping the global information order, write Arvind Gupta and Aakash Guglani for the 21st Annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club.
The Role of Information in the Era of Global Shifts
From social networks to operating systems, nearly all major channels through which we consume information are privately owned, giving these companies unprecedented control. In some instances, they even act as arms for the state, complicating the nature of information flow and freedom. To break free from the monopolistic grip of these few players, a robust, globally adopted Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) could provide a level playing field, fostering competition and countering information asymmetry.
Information impacts decision-making more than ever, particularly in the context of democracy. Voting behavior, for instance, is deeply shaped by the media, the internet, and social platforms where political narratives are crafted, contested, and often manipulated. In an era of AI-driven algorithms, information dissemination has been sharpened into a tool that subtly directs political preferences. Studies indicate that individuals are more likely to engage with content that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs, creating echo chambers. Consequently, these platforms don’t just provide information—they can create deeply ingrained biases, leading to a polarized electorate.
This influence extends to consumer behavior, where personalized advertising and targeted content, guide purchasing decisions. Platforms like Amazon and Meta (formerly Facebook) have perfected the art of micro-targeting ads based on user behavior, past purchases, and browsing patterns, shaping consumer habits with uncanny precision. The result is that people are not just passive consumers of information; they are constantly being nudged, often without realizing it, toward certain choices. Here, speed is equally critical. High-speed internet, ubiquitous mobile connectivity, and optimized algorithms have made information and options instantly accessible, driving impulsive decisions.
The Big Tech’s Rise to Power
The consolidation of data and power in the hands of a few tech giants is more than just a market trend; it’s a fundamental shift in how society accesses and interacts with information. Companies like Alphabet (Google), Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft have gained dominance by controlling key infrastructure—search engines, social networks, browsers, mobile operating systems, and e-commerce platforms. In the 1990s, companies like Microsoft were scrutinized for monopolistic practices. However, as we moved into the 2000s and beyond, the consolidation of information pathways became even more pronounced.
Today, market capitalization trends clearly indicate that companies with vast data reserves consistently outperform others, asserting a lasting influence on the global economy and the information ecosystem. Alphabet’s dominance over search, Meta’s ownership of social platforms, Amazon’s e-commerce and cloud supremacy, and Microsoft’s control over productivity software have left little room for competition.
DPI and the Need for Information Sovereignty
To address these issues, the world needs to rethink its approach to information order. Instead of relying solely on private-sector giants, a globally accessible Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) could democratize access to information and increase competition. India’s experience with DPI provides a compelling model. India’s initiatives—such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for digital payments and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)—demonstrate how private-public led infrastructure can level the playing field for smaller businesses and disrupt established monopolies.
A global DPI could work similarly, providing open-access platforms that reduce dependence on private monopolies. Imagine a world where small businesses have equal opportunities to engage in e-commerce without being at the mercy of a single marketplace like Amazon or where independent search engines can compete with Google without requiring massive capital. By providing shared infrastructure, DPI fosters innovation and competition, allowing smaller players to emerge and thrive.
Moreover, DPI can help governments regain a degree of control over the digital landscape without encroaching on civil liberties. A robust DPI allows countries to maintain data sovereignty, ensuring that citizen data isn’t entirely at the mercy of foreign tech corporations. The broader adoption of DPI across nations could ensure that countries retain their digital sovereignty, reducing the influence of big tech companies. For democracies, this is crucial because it offers an alternative to the monopolistic tendencies of private corporations, while also safeguarding against potential misuse of information by governments.
Global DPI: A Blueprint for a Democratic Information Ecosystem
A globally adopted DPI could serve as a blueprint for a fairer digital landscape. To avoid monopolistic tendencies, DPI needs to be built on a multi-stakeholder model that includes government, private players, and civil society. This would provide a framework for regulating data use, preventing monopolization, and ensuring that information flows freely without any single entity exerting excessive control. With open standards and transparent protocols, a global DPI could enable smaller enterprises, local media outlets, and independent developers to participate in the information economy.
DPI also holds the potential to bridge the digital divide in low and middle-income countries, where access to information is often limited by economic constraints. By providing shared infrastructure, DPI enables equitable access to digital resources, allowing people in these regions to participate in the digital economy on equal footing. For instance, India’s UPI and Bhashini projects show how DPI can leapfrog traditional barriers, bringing services to those previously excluded.
The monopolization of information by a few tech giants has led to an era of unprecedented control, where private companies influence political opinions, consumer habits, and even societal norms. To counter this, a global approach to DPI is imperative. A global DPI would level the playing field, enable innovation, and reduce information asymmetry, ensuring that the digital future is democratic and inclusive.
With DPI, countries can foster a more competitive and decentralized information landscape, empowering citizens and businesses alike. By providing open-access platforms, DPI will allow for a pluralistic information ecosystem where diverse voices can thrive, free from the monopolistic pressures of private-sector giants. In a time of global shifts, such a system can act as a catalyst for sustainable, inclusive growth, ensuring that the digital economy serves the many, not the few.