The technology industry is blindly rushing into questionable trends such as generative AI and blockchain, security expert Soatok argues in a blog post. He observes that more and more companies are adopting these technologies without considering the interests of users or ethical concerns. Soatok gives specific examples: WordPress forces AI-generated images on paying customers, Snapchat reserves the right to use AI images of users for advertising, and even Mozilla has introduced a feature that facilitates data collection for advertisers.
To counter this trend, Soatok proposes a rating system for technology companies. This would classify companies based on their practices in areas such as the use of AI, the use of blockchain, and working conditions. The aim is to promote responsible action and highlight companies that do not follow every hype. The author is very critical of the whole development. He fears that the technology industry is heading towards a future in which user rights and ethics will fall by the wayside.