The essay examines the political landscape surrounding the dominance of the digital paradigm. Firstly, it discusses the role of technology companies in restructuring the global economy and creating vulnerabilities exposed by the current global health crisis. Secondly, it identifies trends likely exacerbated by the pandemic, such as increased public reliance on tech firms, their influence on public debates, and attempts to co-opt civil society through philanthropy.

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It proposes a policy framework to address these risks, advocating for strengthened state regulatory and fiscal capacities, funding independent research through tax revenues from tech giants, and fostering transnational alliances among civil society organisations to hold tech firms accountable and engage citizens to participate in public discourse.