In a bold move to protest President Trump's immigration crackdown, a growing number of Americans are ditching Big Tech, with a boycott targeting tech companies that they believe are not doing enough to stand up against the administration's aggressive policies. This campaign, dubbed 'Resist and Unsubscribe', was initiated by influential podcaster Scott Galloway, who is frustrated by the Trump administration's apparent indifference to public protests and outrage over immigration enforcement, particularly in Minneapolis, where federal immigration officers recently shot and killed two U.S. citizens.
The boycott encourages people to opt out of streaming services like Netflix and Apple TV, and to avoid tech giants like Amazon, Uber, and even streaming platforms like Disney+ and Hulu. This is in response to the companies' associations with Trump and their perceived lack of action against his policies. For instance, Brittany Trahan from Portland, Oregon, has chosen to buy DVDs instead of paying for streaming services, while Lisa Shannon has been relying on public transit instead of taking an Uber.
The boycott's impact is already being felt, with Galloway's website generating a significant number of unique page views. However, the effectiveness of the boycott is still uncertain, as the tech companies may not be significantly affected by a month-long strike. Critics argue that the boycott may not be strong enough to sway tech companies, and that many users may revert to their subscriptions in March, weakening its impact. Despite this, the boycott has sparked important discussions about the power of individual actions in a capitalist society and the need for a jolt to our systems to address systemic issues.