tech
January 10, 2026
Trump may be the beginning of the end for ‘enshittification’ – this is our chance to make tech good again
The US president is weaponising tech, but his tariffs and Brexit provide a surprising opportunity to gain back digital control of our lives
TL;DR
- US trade representatives have historically pressured countries against regulating tech in ways that favor their own interests.
- US tech companies dominate the market, offering products with built-in restrictions and data collection practices.
- Anti-circumvention laws, pushed by the US, prevent reverse-engineering and modification of devices, contributing to "enshittification."
- Trump's tariffs have weakened the US's ability to enforce these trade barriers, creating an opening for competitors.
- Investors and technologists can profit by challenging US tech giants through reverse-engineering and offering superior alternatives.
- The UK, post-Brexit, is uniquely positioned to repeal restrictive software directives and foster innovation.
- Examples like the International Criminal Court losing access to Microsoft services highlight the risks of relying on US tech.
- Digital rights activists, investors, and national security advocates now have common ground to fight for control over technology.
- The goal is to reclaim the right to modify devices, enhance privacy, and ensure fair deals in the tech sector.
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