" The important thing to remember with the Internet is that there are large companies that have an interest in controlling how information flows in it. They’re very effective at lobbying Congress, and that pattern has locked down other communication media in the past. And it will happen again unless we do something about it. "
- Eli Pariser

In today’s digital age, there are significant concerns about how big companies can influence the way information moves through the internet. These large corporations often have substantial lobbying power that allows them to sway decisions made by lawmakers and regulators. The fear is that this could lead to a situation where smaller players in the market struggle to compete or even survive.

Eli Pariser’s statement goes beyond surface-level concerns about corporate influence; it raises profound questions about democracy, innovation, and freedom of speech online. By drawing parallels with historical precedents from other communication media such as radio and television, he suggests that unless proactive measures are taken now, the internet could face similar challenges. His words highlight a critical juncture where collective action and awareness can prevent monopolistic control over information dissemination.

Eli Pariser is an American writer and advocate for digital rights who has been at the forefront of discussions about privacy and ethics in the age of the Internet. As the former president of MoveOn.org, he gained recognition for his work on online activism and later founded The Upshot, a data journalism site within The New York Times. Pariser is also known for writing "The Filter Bubble," a book that explores how personalized algorithms can limit our exposure to diverse viewpoints online.