Bipartisan Backlash Against Big Tech and Data Centers Unites Americans
Americans are increasingly united in bipartisan opposition against rapidly advancing technologies and the companies behind them. This includes widespread backlash against data centers, AI surveillance, and corporate influence. A lawsuit against Meta resulted in an $18 billion settlement, while local officials supporting data centers have faced threats.
Public sentiment towards major technology companies and their products has shifted significantly, moving from optimism to widespread skepticism and opposition across the United States. This growing backlash, which unites both liberals and conservatives, is driven by concerns over data center proliferation, AI surveillance, and perceived corporate influence.
Specific instances of this opposition include residents in Manchester, New Jersey, protesting data centers during a Township Council meeting. Politicians from across the political spectrum, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Governors Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott, have voiced concerns. The article also notes an $18 billion settlement in a lawsuit brought by 48 states against Meta, alleging that its platforms endangered children.
The intensity of this backlash has sometimes escalated to threats and violence, such as an attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's home and death threats against local officials who approved data center projects. Despite these criticisms, tech executives and some government officials defend their advancements, citing potential benefits like curing cancer or improving education, and warning against falling behind foreign adversaries in AI development.