You paid for it, but you don’t own it: How big tech is creating a new digital feudalism

By | June 2, 2025

In the not-so-distant past, ownership was a simple concept. Buy a book, it’s yours. Purchase a CD, and you can play it anytime, anywhere. But in today’s digital-first world, the boundaries of ownership have grown murky. Consumers are slowly waking up to a jarring realization: despite paying for digital products, they often don’t really own them. This shift is ushering in a new era—an era many experts are calling digital feudalism.

What Is Digital Feudalism?

The term draws parallels to medieval Europe’s feudal system, where landowners controlled vast estates while peasants worked on the land with little autonomy. In the digital world, Big Tech companies are the new landlords, and users are the modern peasants—paying rent (in money or data) for temporary access to goods and services they don’t truly control.

From streaming services and cloud storage to eBooks and smart devices, the things we believe we own are often just licenses—revocable at any time, for any reason.

The Myth of Digital Ownership

Consider this: you purchase a movie on a popular streaming platform. But later, due to licensing changes or company policy shifts, the film disappears from your library. Or you download an app, only to find that it stops working unless you pay a monthly fee. These aren’t isolated cases—they’re features of a larger system that prioritizes corporate control over consumer rights.

Unlike physical purchases, digital transactions are often governed by terms of service that can change without notice. These contracts frequently contain clauses that restrict resale, sharing, modifications, or even offline use. It’s a model where users bear the cost, but not the benefits of ownership.

Subscription Models: Convenience at a Cost

Subscription services have exploded across industries—from software to fitness, entertainment to education. On the surface, they offer flexibility, regular updates, and low upfront costs. But they also trap users in ongoing payment cycles. Miss a payment, and you lose access—regardless of how long you’ve been a customer.

This model benefits companies by creating predictable revenue streams, but it also erodes consumer autonomy. You’re not buying a product; you’re renting it. And in many cases, you’re renting something that can be altered or removed at the company’s discretion.

Smart Devices, Dumb Rights

Even physical items aren’t immune to this trend. Smart home gadgets, tractors, printers, and even cars now come embedded with software that limits user control. For instance, many farmers have discovered they can’t repair their own tractors because the software is locked. Independent mechanics are often locked out of diagnosing or fixing modern vehicles.

In extreme cases, companies have remotely disabled or bricked products after customers violated terms—or after the company simply decided to stop supporting a device. Imagine buying a toaster, only to have it stop working because the manufacturer closed its app server. It sounds absurd, but it’s becoming increasingly common.

Your Data, Their Profit

One of the most insidious aspects of digital feudalism is how our personal data is treated. Every click, purchase, and preference is harvested, analyzed, and monetized. Users generate immense value for tech platforms through their activity, but they rarely see any return or gain control over how their data is used.

This data-driven economy reinforces the power imbalance. Platforms grow stronger and more profitable by using consumer data, while users remain locked into ecosystems that profit from their very presence.

The Trap of the “Terms and Conditions”

Most digital platforms require users to accept lengthy terms and conditions—often without reading them. Hidden within these legal mazes are rules that limit consumer rights, grant companies broad authority, and shield them from liability.

For example, many terms include “non-transferable” clauses, meaning even if you’ve paid for a digital item, you can’t gift it, sell it, or pass it on. This restriction stands in stark contrast to the freedom you have with physical goods.

A Growing Backlash

Fortunately, the tide may be starting to turn. Movements around right to repair, open-source software, and digital rights advocacy are gaining traction. In the U.S. and Europe, regulators are scrutinizing Big Tech’s monopolistic behavior and considering laws that would restore consumer rights.

Several states and countries are introducing right-to-repair legislation, compelling manufacturers to provide tools, parts, and documentation for their products. Meanwhile, privacy-focused alternatives to major platforms are slowly gaining popularity among more informed users.

How to Reclaim Control

While systemic change will require policy shifts and consumer pressure, individuals can take steps to protect their digital independence:

  • Support open platforms: Choose software and services that don’t lock you into ecosystems.
  • Buy physical when possible: Physical books, DVDs, and games still offer true ownership.
  • Read before you click: Understand what you’re agreeing to when accepting terms.
  • Advocate for digital rights: Support organizations working for internet freedom and user rights.
  • Push for legislation: Engage with local and national efforts that challenge unfair tech practices.

The Future of Digital Ownership

We stand at a crossroads. One path leads deeper into a world where corporations dictate the limits of what we can access, control, and own. The other leads to a digital environment that respects users as partners rather than mere consumers.

The choice may not be entirely ours as individuals, but our collective voice—through the products we support, the platforms we engage with, and the politicians we elect—can push the tide.

Conclusion

Big Tech didn’t steal ownership overnight. It happened gradually, under the promise of convenience, access, and innovation. But as the digital economy grows, so does the importance of redefining and protecting what it means to own something in the modern world. Digital feudalism may be the new normal—but it doesn’t have to be our future.