Disenshittification Nation

8 days ago

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Cory Doctorow delivered a keynote at the 2026 Digital Government Leaders Summit in Ottawa, discussing Canada's digital sovereignty and resilience.
He criticized the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and Canada's Bill C-11 for enabling tech monopolies to restrict user rights and stifle innovation.
Doctorow proposed repealing Bill C-11 to legalize jailbreaking, allowing Canadian entrepreneurs to create tools that bypass restrictive tech controls, fostering competition and consumer freedom.
He highlighted the economic potential of disenshittification, suggesting Canada could profit by offering alternatives to monopolistic tech services like app stores and printer ink cartels.
The talk also addressed national security concerns, warning of the risks posed by US tech giants under potential Trump administration policies, advocating for open, auditable digital infrastructure.
Doctorow emphasized the need for Canada to lead in creating a fair, open digital ecosystem, benefiting both the economy and global users trapped by monopolistic practices.

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