Rewrite Cinderella’s story to understand corporate capture in the Internet Society

Course Description

Our understanding and governance of the internet often revolves around a few powerful U.S.-
based tech giants like Google, Amazon, Facebook/Meta, Apple, Microsoft, and Twitter/X. These
companies not only stir up waves of public debate but also drive thorny issues, prompting
governments worldwide to tackle monopolies, misinformation, election interference, hate
speech, privacy breaches, and the destabilization of traditional media through ongoing litigations
and draft new legislations.

News about these issues is often fragmented, leaving us with a foggy sense of the deep power
struggles and conflicts revealed through the internet. It's like trying to assemble a puzzle with
only a handful of random pieces. The reality is that these U.S.-centered private tech giants have
extended their influence into public service sectors that ideally should be guided by public
interest. These companies, which started with search engines, social media, and tech products,
have expanded into the media industry and are even involved in internet infrastructure itself
since the early 2010s.

This course will explore the growing influence of major companies, the phenomenon of corporate capture, and the increasing conflicts of interest in the digital era. Students will apply the theories they learn to rewrite the story of Cinderella, placing the protagonist in an Internet society. The reimagined story will help readers understand how corporate capture operates. Through this exercise, students will step into the shoes of different stakeholders to explore the benefits and challenges of Internet governance from multiple perspectives.

I have invited Professor Marc-Andre Gagnon who is an expert in corporate captures from the Public Policy department to be my guest lecture. I will hire undergraduate student, Hanyue Liu, to facilitate discussion and prepare pops. The only special requirement for students are ready to have the most fun university course that will change their life!