Learn More About Enshittification

We've compiled the most authoritative sources on enshittification—from the original essays to peer-reviewed research to government investigations.

Original Essays

Tiktok's enshittification
Cory Doctorow, Pluralistic.net, January 2023

The foundational text where Doctorow articulates the complete three-stage decay model using TikTok, Amazon, Facebook, and Google as case studies.

'Enshittification' is coming for absolutely everything
Cory Doctorow, Financial Times, February 2024

Expands the concept beyond digital platforms into physical products—arguing we've entered the "enshittocene" where platform decay dynamics are spreading across the economy.

Academic Research

The Cognitive and Moral Harms of Platform Decay
Edward A. Lenzo & Michael Ardoline, Ethics and Information Technology, 2025

First rigorous philosophical treatment establishing that platform decay constitutes both cognitive and moral harm, not just economic inconvenience.

The Enshittification of Work: Platform Decay and Labour Conditions in the Gig Economy
Michael David Maffie & Hector Hurtado, British Journal of Industrial Relations, 2025

Extends the enshittification framework to labor markets through 30 qualitative interviews with gig workers, documenting three mechanisms of decay.

Policy & Government

Investigation of Competition in Digital Markets
U.S. House Judiciary Committee, July 2022

450+ page Congressional investigation based on 1.3 million internal documents from Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google. Documents the exact conduct Doctorow describes.

As Platforms Decay, Let's Put Users First
Electronic Frontier Foundation, April 2023

EFF's policy response proposing concrete reforms: interoperability mandates, data portability requirements, and restoring user agency.

Analysis & Commentary

Enshittification
Wikipedia

Comprehensive encyclopedia article with 63+ citations covering etymology, the decay model, platform-specific examples, and proposed solutions.

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