The Flip Side of Free: Understanding the Economics of the Internet

by Michael Kende

Overview

Why "free" comes at a price: the costs of free internet services in terms of privacy, cybersecurity, and the growing market power of technology giants.

The upside of the internet is free Wi-Fi at Starbucks, Facetime over long distances, and nearly unlimited data for downloading or streaming. The downside is that our data goes to companies that use it to make money, our financial information is exposed to hackers, and the market power of technology companies continues to increase. In The Flip Side of Free, Michael Kende shows that free internet comes at a price. We're beginning to realize this. Our all-purpose techno-caveat is "I love my smart speaker...but"—is it really tracking everything I do? listening to everything I say?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780262045650
Publisher:	MIT Press
Publication date:	03/09/2021
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Michael Kende is a Senior Fellow and Visiting Lecturer at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, a Senior Adviser at Analysys Mason, a Digital Development Specialist at the World Bank Group, and former Chief Economist of the Internet Society. He has worked as an academic economist at INSEAD and as a US regulator at the Federal Communications Commission.

Table of Contents

Part I The Upside of Free
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 The Global Standard
Chapter 3 Why Is Wi-Fi Free?
Chapter 4 Something for Nothing
Part II The Downside of Free
Chapter 5 Did We Give Away Our Privacy?
Chapter 6 Is Our Data Secure?
Chapter 7 Platform Power
Chapter 8 The Digital Divide
Part III The Future of Free
Chapter 9 Trust the Future
Chapter 10 The Need for Change
Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“I read this book in one sitting. So should you. Clear, balanced, nuanced, and analytic. I have lived the Internet story and this book puts choices in a clear light.”
—Vint Cerf, Internet pioneer
 
“In The Flip Side of Free, Kende wipes away the anecdotal and impressionistic grime that obscures our understanding of the Internet and its societal effects. In its place, he provides an unprecedented and sharp-eyed analysis of the economic forces roiling behind our screens.”
—Andrew Blum, author, Tubes: A Journey to the Center of the Internet
 
“An informative and insightful look at key topics in digital economics, including two-sided platforms and data. Kende provides essential background and frames the issues in a way that engages both academics and the general public.”
—Neil Gandal, Professor, Berglas School of Economics, Tel Aviv University
 
“Michael Kende’s unique mastery of economics and the technologies and governance structures that enabled the Internet’s explosive growth makes this an essential and accessible read.”
—Lynn St.Amour, CEO, Internet Matters

"Michael Kende's timely book unpicks the economics of the internet. It reminds us of its transformative benefits for those who have it, while shining a bright light on the true cost of 'free'.  A highly informative and readable story-so-far of the internet we have, and the web we want." 
—Adrian Lovett, President and CEO, World Wide Web Foundation