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Writer's pictureBen Steenstra

The Ethical Decline of Big Tech: Are Alphabet and Meta in Free Fall?

Updated: Aug 11

The giants of the tech world—Alphabet (the parent company of Google and YouTube), Meta (the parent company of Facebook), and their associated enterprises—are no longer the unblemished pioneers they once were. What started as companies proudly displaying their ethical compass has devolved into powerful entities that have neglected their own moral foundations. Under the guise of "Ethical Fading," these companies have abandoned their original ideals, driven by an insatiable hunger for power and profit. Where they once prioritized the well-being of their users, their focus has now shifted to control, censorship, and maximizing revenue.



This is a pattern we see repeatedly: power and money corrupt, and Big Tech is no exception. Alphabet, Meta, and their subsidiaries like Google, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram were once champions of innovation and ethics. Google's slogan "Don't be evil" sounded new, sincere, and honest; it was a statement that people were passionate about and believed in. It was a promise of integrity in a rapidly changing digital world. But as their influence and wealth grew, ethics became secondary. What remained was a system willing to sacrifice its users' trust for commercial gain. This is not just a betrayal of the millions who once believed in their promises but also a direct threat to the future of fair technology.


With Meta, however, it has always been questionable whether a moral compass existed at all. Mark Zuckerberg began his career by stealing the personal data of female students, which formed the first version of Facebook.



Although Meta later tried to act as if it operated with ethical awareness, it is clear that this moral compass—if it ever existed—was twisted early on. But even they pretended, at least in their professional years, that ethics played a role. The question now is how long they can maintain this façade.


But these tech giants will soon discover that abandoning their ethics comes at a high cost. Just as they once outpaced their predecessors by following a moral compass, newcomers like Rumble and other principled platforms will now overtake them. The question is not if, but when this will happen. The time of Alphabet, Meta, and their subsidiaries is over. They have set their own downfall in motion, and it is only a matter of time before they are overtaken by their own mistakes. The revolution of fair technology is inevitable, and it is time for these old giants to make way for newcomers who do stay true to their ethical principles.


Ethical Fading: The Betrayal of Original Ideals

In Google's early years, the company embodied technological progress driven by a strong ethical core. Google attracted worldwide attention with its slogan "Don't be evil." It was not just a marketing phrase; it was a promise that resonated with all employees and millions of people. This slogan represented an era when technology companies were seen as champions of transparency and honesty, something that felt new and revolutionary in the digital world. People believed in this promise, were passionate about it, and trusted that Google genuinely had their users' best interests at heart.


As the years passed and the pressure of commercial interests increased, this ethical promise began to fade. The process of "Ethical Fading" set in, where the original values were slowly undermined by the hunger for growth, power, and profit.



The Turning Point: From Idealism to Commercial Cynicism

The transition of Google to Alphabet in 2015 marked not only a structural change but also a profound shift in the company's ethical course. What began as a technology company with a mission to make information free and accessible quickly evolved into a corporation primarily driven by commercial interests. This transformation was characterized by the gradual withdrawal of the founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who once embodied the company's moral compass. Their idealistic vision, strongly rooted in the original "Don't be evil" mantra, faded into the background as they retreated from the company's daily management.


The reins were handed over to Sundar Pichai, who was first appointed as CEO of Google and later also of Alphabet. Under his leadership, the company's focus increasingly shifted toward maximizing commercial profits. Pichai's leadership was marked by a pragmatic approach where ethical considerations often had to give way to strategic business decisions. It was during this period that Alphabet, and therefore Google and YouTube, became embroiled in controversies surrounding censorship, data misuse, and manipulative practices. The ideals that once defined the company were slowly but surely sacrificed on the altar of profitability and growth.


Meanwhile, Meta, under Mark Zuckerberg's leadership, continued to position itself as a technology company that was increasingly distanced from ethical considerations. Zuckerberg, who had been criticized from the start for his dubious beginnings with Facebook—where he misused female students' personal data—continued down this path. As Alphabet and Meta continued to grow, it became clear that ethics and morals were increasingly subordinated to the companies' financial interests. This led to an inevitable clash with users who felt betrayed by the companies they had once trusted.


Censorship and Manipulation: The Breaking of Users' Trust

As the shift from idealism to commercial cynicism occurred, there was also a radical change in how Alphabet and Meta managed their platforms. What were once bastions of free information have now been transformed into control mechanisms that actively suppress the truth. This became painfully clear during the COVID-19 pandemic when Google and YouTube (under Alphabet) and Facebook (under Meta) brutally silenced free speech. Under the false pretext of combating "misinformation," countless videos, posts, and accounts were removed or demonetized—not because they were inaccurate but because they contradicted the dominant narratives that these tech giants chose to support.



Some shocking examples of this censorship include:


  • Dr. John Ioannidis: This world-renowned epidemiologist and professor at Stanford University was censored because he criticized lockdowns and face masks early in the pandemic. It is now indisputable that he was right: lockdowns have caused more harm worldwide than they have prevented, and face masks have, in most cases, barely contributed to controlling the virus. Yet, Ioannidis's warnings were ignored and suppressed by Alphabet and Meta, despite overwhelming evidence that his concerns were valid.

  • Dr. Robert Malone: The inventor of mRNA vaccine technology, a man with unparalleled scientific knowledge and experience, was systematically censored by YouTube and Facebook. He warned of the risks of the new mRNA vaccines, and while his concerns were initially dismissed, it is now acknowledged that the serious side effects of these vaccines are real. These platforms deliberately chose to suppress his warnings, even though they knew his views were scientifically sound.

  • Professor Sucharit Bhakdi: A respected microbiologist with an impressive track record, Bhakdi was one of the first scientists to warn about the dangers of mass vaccination. Instead of allowing an open debate, his content was removed, and he was silenced on major platforms. It is now clear that his critical questions about vaccine safety and necessity deserved the attention they never received from Alphabet and Meta.

  • Videos of government officials: Even videos of high-ranking politicians, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, were censored. When DeSantis advocated against face masks for children during a roundtable discussion with prominent medical experts, the video was promptly removed by YouTube. This happened despite later evidence showing that concerns about the effectiveness of face masks, especially for children, were justified.


It is clear that Alphabet and Meta did not merely make mistakes in their policies; they deliberately chose to suppress truths they knew were correct. They were guilty of manipulating information to protect their own commercial and political interests at the expense of free speech and the right to fair information.


This unprecedented censorship and manipulation have completely undermined the credibility of Alphabet and Meta. Users who felt betrayed and silenced began to flock to platforms like Rumble, which stands for freedom of speech. This exodus is a sign that people are fed up with tech giants who have lost their ethical compass. The fall of Alphabet and Meta is no longer a question of "if," but "when." The revolution of fair technology is in full swing, and the days of these former giants are numbered.


Google's Exposed Manipulation: An Attack on Democracy

The influence of Big Tech reaches further than most people realize, and this was painfully highlighted by the work of Dr. Robert Epstein. His research revealed how Google manipulated the U.S. elections by steering search results in favor of one political party. Despite Google's sworn testimony that they do not interfere in elections, Epstein's team demonstrated that they indeed had the power to influence the voting behavior of millions of Americans. This manipulation went so far that Democratic voters were 2.5 times more likely to be urged to vote than Republicans.



When Senator Ted Cruz confronted these findings, Google abruptly switched off the manipulation, making it clear that this was not an innocent algorithm at play but deliberate interference. This kind of ethical dereliction by a company that once claimed to "Do no evil" is nothing less than an assault on the democratic foundations of society. Even worse, media outlets like The New York Times refused to publish these shocking revelations, fearing they would lose their traffic from Google. It’s a frightening example of how deep Big Tech’s influence runs and how the truth becomes the first casualty in their hunger for control and power.


The Rise of Fair Technology: The End of an Era for Alphabet and Meta

The recent shift in the digital landscape marks the beginning of a new era, where users are shifting their trust from the old tech giants to newer, more ethical platforms. Alphabet and Meta have had their chance, but their systematic suppression of truths and violations of ethical standards have cost them dearly. While they were once leaders in technological innovation, their moral compass has been entirely lost. This has led to an inevitable exodus of users seeking platforms where freedom of speech and transparency are central.


The rise of alternative platforms like Rumble is a direct response to the misconduct of Alphabet and Meta. But Rumble is not the only platform benefiting from the ethical decline of traditional tech giants. Substack, for example, a platform that allows independent writers and journalists to publish their work without censorship, is growing steadily. Users appreciate the transparency and freedom that Substack offers, far removed from the manipulative algorithms and censorship they were accustomed to on platforms like Facebook and YouTube.


Additionally, there is Telegram, a messaging service that, unlike WhatsApp (under Meta), is much lessis inclined to intervene in private communication. Telegram has proven to be a haven for people who want to maintain their freedom of speech without the fear of constant surveillance or suppression of their opinions. The platform is growing rapidly, partly due to concerns about privacy and censorship with its larger competitors.


Gab is another example of a platform that places freedom of speech at its core. Although controversial, Gab attracts users who believe their voices are systematically suppressed by the larger social media platforms. The platform offers an alternative space where people do not feel bound by the restrictions imposed by Big Tech.


This rise of fair technology platforms shows that there is a clear demand for companies that do not sacrifice ethical principles for profit. The success of Rumble, Substack, Telegram, Gab, and other newcomers is not only a sign that people want change but also that they are willing to take action to make that change happen.



The time when Alphabet and Meta were untouchable is over. Their failure to stay true to their original values has opened the door for a new generation of technology companies that are willing to respect the rights and freedoms of their users.


The question is no longer if but when this revolution will fully break through. Alphabet and Meta have had their chance and squandered it. Now it's time for platforms that genuinely care about their users, that are transparent, and that are willing to fight for the right to free information. The days of these former giants are numbered, and the future belongs to those who never lose sight of their ethical principles.

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