The Critical Platform Studies Group (CritPlat) was founded in March 2018 as a research group to examine the role of big tech firms in civic life, as our local context in Seattle, Washington is pervaded by the influence of local tech firms like Amazon and Microsoft.
With time, our research on platforms and power grew focused on two areas, with an increasing focus on advocacy and organizing: (1) supporting municipal regulation of algorithmic systems, and (2) exploring the influence of big tech funding in our research communities.
Beginning as a small research group at the University of Washington, we are now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. You can donate to our cause at our Patreon.
