Dark side of tech

THERE are things to admire about what could be called the Silicon Valley start up approach behind companies like Facebook, Twitter, Airbnb and Uber.

Young people working out of garages in the California area have truly changed the world by unleashing their algorithms on society.

It is hard not to be impressed by the speed at which these technology companies operate and their general audacity.

These companies have an inherent disregard for red tape and regulatory hurdles that might stand in the way of what they want to achieve.

They get called ‘disruptors’ in a complimentary sense because they upset the applecart and disrupt established patterns and industries.

But there is a dark side to this rapid technological advancement. The corollary of these companies’ cut-through approaches is a kind of reckless indifference to issues of privacy, safety and amenity.

Uber means anyone can be a taxi driver. But what is the safety net to prevent violent sociopaths or predators being behind the wheel?

Airbnb means anyone can rent out their house for short stays. But where is the protection for the home owner if the renter trashes it in a wild party? And what of the neighbours who did not choose to live next door to the equivalent of a busy hotel?

Chad and Brad in their Silicon Valley garage don’t tend to worry about that sort of detail as long as they’re getting a cut of the profits every time someone rents an airbnb property.

It is left to regulators to play catch up and they are often depressingly way behind the ball.

This was clearly illustrated by youthful Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s appearance before panels of ancient US Senators some of whom had little conception of what his social network actually was.

You can’t turn back technology, nor should you, nor should you want to.

But this is out of whack. As a society governed by laws we need to get the balance right.