Disenshittify or die! How hackers can seize the means of computation
Cory Doctorow
DEF CON 32 Main Stage · Day 1 · Main Stage
In a compelling and provocative talk at DEF CON 32, renowned author and activist Cory Doctorow introduced and elaborated on his widely discussed concept of **enshittification**. This presentation delves into the systemic degradation of online platforms and services, arguing that the once vibrant and user-centric internet has been systematically hollowed out by platform monopolies. Doctorow posits that major tech companies, after initially attracting users and third-party providers with superior services and favorable terms, progressively extract more value for themselves, ultimately leading to a diminished experience for everyone else.
AI review
Cory Doctorow's keynote on 'enshittification' is a brutal, necessary diagnosis of the systemic decay of online platforms. While not a traditional technical deep-dive into exploits, it provides a profoundly important framework for understanding how major tech companies leverage network effects and architectural control to exploit users and third parties. This talk offers critical signal and a call to action for the security community, exposing the 'attack vectors' inherent in platform monopolies and offering a clear, actionable lens through which to view the ongoing degradation of the internet.