Amnesty International Unveils “Breaking Up with Big Tech” Campaign: A Call for Action on Digital Human Rights Violations

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August 28, 2025

London, United Kingdom – Amnesty International issued a stark warning on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, calling on global governments to curtail the expansive power of major technology corporations, asserting that their dominance poses a notable threat to essential human rights. The organization’s new briefing, titled ‘Breaking up with Big Tech,’ focuses particularly on the influence of Alphabet (Google), Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple.

The Scope Of ‘Big Tech’ Influence

These five companies exert considerable control over the digital landscape, shaping how billions interact online. Their reach extends across essential internet services, including search engines, social media platforms, application distribution, and cloud computing infrastructure. According to a recent report by Statista, these five companies collectively control over 68% of the global market share in these key sectors as of Q2 2025.

Amnesty International argues that this unchecked power compromises the right to privacy, perpetuates non-discrimination, and restricts freedom of opinion and access to information. Hannah storey, Advocacy and Policy Adviser on technology and Human Rights at Amnesty international, stated that these firms effectively function as “digital landlords,” dictating the parameters of online communication.

Real-World Consequences & past Abuses

The organization’s briefing details how these technology giants have amassed their influence, maintain it, and are actively working to further consolidate their positions, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. Amnesty International points to past instances where the actions of these companies have had detrimental real-world consequences.

Investigations into Facebook’s role in the Tigray War in Ethiopia, and the platform’s contribution to the persecution of the Rohingya community in Myanmar, serve as chilling examples of how digital platforms can exacerbate conflict and facilitate human rights abuses. These cases demonstrate that the impact of Big Tech dominance is not confined to the digital realm, but extends into tangible offline harm.

A comparison of Big Tech Market Capitalization (USD – August 2025)

Company	Market Capitalization
Apple	$3.15 Trillion
Microsoft	$2.78 Trillion
Alphabet (Google)	$1.88 Trillion
Amazon	$1.62 Trillion
Meta	$860 Billion

Did You Know? A 2024 study by the Pew Research Center found that 85% of Americans believe social media companies have too much power over political discourse.

Calls For Regulatory Action & Breakups

Amnesty International is urging states to utilize competition laws as a tool to protect human rights. This includes investigating and sanctioning anti-competitive practices, preventing regulatory capture, and dismantling harmful monopolies.The organization recommends specific measures, such as investigating Big Tech for human rights violations related to anti-competitive behavior, and blocking mergers and acquisitions that coudl further concentrate power.

The briefing emphasizes that integrating human rights considerations into anti-competition investigations is crucial. Amnesty International sent its findings to Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple on August 12, 2025, receiving responses from Meta and Microsoft. Amazon, Apple and google did not respond before the publication of the report.

Pro Tip: Stay informed about digital rights issues by following organizations like Amnesty International and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).

International Efforts & The Path Forward

Regulators and civil society groups worldwide are already grappling with these complex issues. Amnesty International’s briefing aims to contribute to these ongoing efforts by providing a human rights-focused perspective on competition law and market power.

What role should governments play in regulating Big Tech? And how can individuals protect their digital rights in an increasingly concentrated online world?

the evolving Landscape of Tech Regulation

The debate surrounding Big Tech regulation is constantly evolving. In recent years, the European union has led the way with the Digital Markets act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), aimed at curbing the power of gatekeeper platforms and protecting users online. The United States, while lagging behind, is also considering various legislative proposals to address concerns about anti-competitive practices and data privacy. As artificial intelligence continues to develop, the need for robust regulation will only become more pressing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Big Tech & Human Rights

• What is ‘Big Tech’? ‘Big Tech’ refers to the largest and most dominant technology companies globally, primarily Alphabet (Google), Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple.
• Why is big Tech a human rights concern? Their immense power can infringe on privacy, promote discrimination, and limit freedom of expression.
• What is Amnesty International recommending? The organization is calling for governments to break up tech monopolies and regulate anti-competitive behavior.
• What are some examples of Big Tech abuses? Facebook’s role in conflicts in ethiopia and Myanmar are cited as examples of harmful consequences.
• How can individuals protect their digital rights? Supporting organizations like Amnesty International and advocating for stronger regulations are vital steps.

Share this article and join the conversation! What are your thoughts on the power of Big Tech and its impact on human rights?

What specific digital rights violations are targeted by the “Breaking Up with Big Tech” campaign?

The Growing Threat too Digital rights

amnesty International has launched its “Breaking Up with Big Tech” campaign, a important initiative addressing the escalating impact of technology companies on human rights. This isn’t simply about privacy concerns; it’s a multifaceted issue encompassing freedom of expression, access to data, and the potential for discriminatory practices fueled by algorithms and data collection. The campaign directly confronts the unchecked power of tech giants and their role in enabling – and sometimes perpetrating – digital rights violations.

Key Areas of Concern Highlighted by Amnesty

The campaign focuses on several critical areas where Big Tech’s practices are demonstrably harming individuals and communities globally. These include:

Surveillance Capitalism: the pervasive collection and monetization of personal data, often without informed consent, creating detailed profiles used for targeted advertising and perhaps manipulative purposes. This impacts data privacy and individual autonomy.

Algorithmic Bias & Discrimination: Algorithms used in areas like loan applications, hiring processes, and even criminal justice can perpetuate and amplify existing societal biases, leading to unfair or discriminatory outcomes. AI ethics are central to this concern.

Censorship & Content Moderation: The power of platforms to control the flow of information raises concerns about censorship, notably of dissenting voices or critical reporting. the balance between freedom of speech and combating harmful content remains a complex challenge.

Lack of Clarity & Accountability: The opaque nature of many tech companies’ algorithms and data practices makes it tough to understand how decisions are made and to hold them accountable for harms caused. Tech accountability is a core demand of the campaign.

Impact on Elections & Democracy: The spread of disinformation and the manipulation of public opinion through social media platforms pose a significant threat to democratic processes. Online disinformation is a key battleground.

What “Breaking Up with Big Tech” Actually Means

The campaign’s title isn’t a literal call to abandon technology. Instead, it advocates for a basic restructuring of the relationship between individuals, governments, and tech companies. Amnesty International proposes several key strategies:

1. Stronger regulation: Advocating for robust legislation that protects digital freedoms and holds tech companies accountable for human rights violations. This includes data protection laws,antitrust measures,and regulations governing the use of AI.
2. Increased Transparency: Demanding greater transparency from tech companies regarding their algorithms, data collection practices, and content moderation policies. Algorithmic transparency is crucial.
3. Empowering Users: Providing individuals with more control over their data and greater awareness of their digital rights. This includes promoting digital literacy and advocating for user-friendly privacy tools.
4. Antitrust Action: Supporting efforts to break up monopolies and promote competition in the tech industry, reducing the concentration of power in the hands of a few companies. Tech monopolies are a significant focus.
5. Self-reliant Oversight: Establishing independent bodies to oversee the tech industry and ensure compliance with human rights standards.

Real-World examples & Case Studies

Amnesty International has documented numerous cases illustrating the harms caused by Big Tech’s practices.

Myanmar & Facebook (now Meta): A 2018 UN report detailed how Facebook’s algorithms contributed to the spread of hate speech that incited violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar. This highlights the devastating consequences of unchecked social media manipulation.

Facial Recognition Technology & Racial Bias: Studies have shown that facial recognition technology is often less accurate when identifying people of color, leading to misidentification and potential wrongful arrests. this exemplifies algorithmic bias in action.

Data Breaches & Privacy Violations: Frequent data breaches exposing the personal information of millions of users demonstrate the vulnerability of centralized data storage systems and the need for stronger data security measures.

How You Can Get Involved: Taking Action for Digital Rights

Amnesty International’s campaign isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about mobilizing action. here’s how you can contribute:

Sign the petition: Amnesty International is running petitions calling on governments and tech companies to take concrete steps to protect digital rights. (See: https://www.amnesty.de/)

Contact Your representatives: Urge your elected officials to support legislation that strengthens digital privacy and holds tech companies accountable.

Spread the word: Share information about the campaign on social media and with your networks. Use hashtags like #BreakingUpWithBigTech and #DigitalRights.

Support Amnesty International: Donate to Amnesty International to support their ongoing work defending human rights in the digital age.

* Practice Digital Hygiene: Take steps to protect your own data and privacy online, such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being mindful of the information you share.Online security is paramount.

The Future of Digital Rights: A critical Juncture

The “Breaking Up with Big Tech” campaign arrives at a critical juncture.