Monopolies are nothing new in our capitalist economy, but as Colorado Congressman Ken Buck aptly illustrates in his book “Crushed: Big Tech’s War on Free Speech” (“Crushed”), Silicon Valley’s current monopoly is more dangerous than earlier ones. Today’s Big Tech monopoly is both an economic threat and a serious risk to democracy and future innovation.
The logo of Google at the 2023 Hannover Messe industrial trade fair on April 17, 2023 in Hanover, Germany. (Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)
A former prosecutor and district attorney, Buck utilizes cogent reasoning, verifiable facts, and first-hand testimony received from Big Tech executives at congressional committee hearings. In 12 compelling chapters he describes how Big Tech has systemically used algorithms and financial clout to restrict free markets, crush competition, and actively manipulate information to censor news and unwanted opinions during election cycles….