The Internet Industry
Why Too Much Competition Hurts Users
I see too much competition in the Internet Industry, and it is affecting the user. Why and what may be done?
When competition in the internet industry becomes too aggressive, it can create confusion, frustration, and even harm the user experience. Let me break down why this happens and what realistic steps can help fix it, both at the industry level and for everyday users.
Why Too Much Competition Hurts Users
1. Companies rush features instead of improving quality
When every platform is trying to outdo the next one, they often push incomplete updates, buggy releases, and constant redesigns that break what used to work.
2. Fragmentation becomes exhausting
Different apps, different standards, different login systems, different privacy policies… it overwhelms users, especially those just trying to get simple information or stay connected.
3. Endless ads, pop-ups, and paywalls
Companies chase revenue to stay competitive. That often means more advertising, more “premium” upgrades, and more nagging to subscribe.
4. Privacy gets complicated
The more companies compete for your attention, the more data they collect—because data helps them stay ahead. Users get caught in the crossfire.
5. Algorithms become unpredictable
To stay competitive, platforms constantly tweak the way content is shown. This leads to unstable feeds, disappearing posts, inconsistent timelines, and the feeling that you are never seeing what you want.
What Can Be Done About It?
1. Push for industry standards
Just like electricity or phone networks, the internet works best when certain things are stable and universal. Governments and tech organizations can encourage:
Clear privacy standards
Compatible messaging formats
Accessible user controls
Interoperability (apps can talk to each other)
2. Encourage transparency
If companies must explain how algorithms work, what data they collect, and what their updates do, users gain power again.
3. Support products that value stability over hype
Users can choose platforms that:
Do not push constant experimental features.
Offer simple and clean interfaces.
Protect privacy instead of hoarding data.
When users reward good behavior, companies adapt.
4. Strengthen digital literacy
Helping everyday users understand:
How algorithms shape what they see
How privacy settings work
How to detect misinformation
How to move between platforms safely
Give them control again.
5. Advocate for consumer-first regulations
Moderate regulation can help reduce abuses without killing innovation. Examples:
Rules against deceptive advertising
Limits on how quickly features can change.
Requirements for stable public APIs
Protection against predatory data collection
6. Create better “slow tech” options
There is a growing movement toward:
Simpler apps
Ad-free platforms
Community-run networks
Tools designed for well being, not addiction.
These alternatives take some pressure off the giant platforms.
Bottom Line
Too much competition leads to chaos when companies prioritize outsmarting each other instead of serving the user. The path forward requires balance—innovation mixed with stability, profit balanced with ethics, and technology that works for people, not against them.
If you want, I can help you turn this into:
A Facebook post
A letter to lawmakers
A blog article
A discussion topic for your community
Elder Steven Parker Miller
Founder and Administrator of Gatekeeper-Watchman
Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
@ParkermillerQ
#GWIG, #SPARKERMILLER, #GWIN