Tech is entering its prohibition era
The article argues that government attempts to restrict technology, such as social media and AI, are likely to fail, drawing parallels to the US Prohibition era. It suggests that bans often drive users toward unregulated, less safe platforms.
Why it matters
It provides a critical perspective on the efficacy of digital regulation and the potential unintended consequences of restrictive tech policies.
ullstein bild via Getty Images Governments are seeking to set restrictions on popular tech products, from social media to AI. However well-intentioned, the restrictions likely won't stop people from using the tech. Just look at the lessons the US learned after outlawing alcohol for stretch more than a century ago. When the US outlawed alcohol in 1920, people found ways to keep drinking — whether by sneaking into secret speakeasies in dingy basements or by obtaining dubious prescriptions for medicinal booze. By 1933, when lawmakers finally legalized hooch, drinking levels were comparable (about 70%) to what they were before. The failure of prohibition to make a meaningful dent in the country's imbibing habits is instructive as tech companies and governments increasingly seek to impose limits on the use of ubiquitous software, such as social media and AI for kids and teens.
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