Lotje Beek

A handful of dominant online platforms have become the gatekeepers for our public debate, meaning that they decide what voices get amplified and what voices get minimized, distorting our view of reality while doing so. For example, platforms push extreme content, because it triggers people and makes them stay on platforms longer. And the longer people stay on a platform, the more ads they see, resulting in more revenue for the platform. 

Lotje Beek believes that our human rights and democracy must be guaranteed online. Big Tech must be held accountable. It is up to (European) legislators to protect European citizens from the (market) power and toxic mechanisms of Big Tech. During Studio Europa, Lotje hopes to learn how to effectively navigate EU politics and the public debate around online platforms in the right direction.