1. Democracy and the Internet
• Is ‘popular’internetowned by the samecompanies that run traditional
mediaforms?
Instagram: Owned by an individual, Kevin Systrom isthe CEO and co-founder
of Instagram, he is responsiblefor the company'soverallvision and strategy
as well as day-to-day operations.
However in 2012 Instagram wasbought by Facebook, a social networking
company that has acquired more than 50 companies.
Netflix: Owned by an individual, TheCEO and founder of Netflix, Reed
Hastings, owns11.8 million shares.
Whatsapp: Facebook acquired mobile messaging company WhatsApp for $19
billion.
Depop: Depop wasfounded by co-founder of PIG magazine.
Uber: Uber wasfounded in 2009 asUberCabby Garrett Camp, the co founder
of StumbleUpon, and TravisKalanick, who had sold his Red Swoosh startup
for $19 million in 2007. Kalanick joined Camp and giveshim "full credit for the
idea" of Uber.
