Black Friday 2023 presents a mixed bag of deals, labor concerns, and digital safety advice. This year’s sales span across major retailers like Best Buy and Amazon, alongside niche platforms like Hidden, an alternative to OnlyFans built by sex workers.
Consumer Deals and Trends
Retailers are pushing aggressive Black Friday promotions earlier than ever, turning the event into a month-long sales period. Best Buy is offering deals on tested tech, including TVs from brands like Hisense, TCL, Samsung, and Sony. Meanwhile, Amazon is promoting discounts on gadgets that WIRED has vetted. Despite some tempting offers, experts recommend sticking with reliable choices like the MacBook Air over potentially misleading laptop deals. The Rocco fridge, known for its style over functionality, is also on sale.
Labor Concerns at Amazon
Employees at Amazon are raising alarms about the company’s rapid AI deployment, with over 1,000 workers signing a petition expressing concerns over an “all-costs-justified” approach. This signals growing tension between corporate acceleration of AI and the ethical implications for its workforce.
Digital Privacy and Sex Work
Amidst the shopping frenzy, digital security remains crucial. WIRED published a guide to digital operations security (OpSec) for teenagers and adults, emphasizing safe online practices. Simultaneously, sex workers are creating alternatives to mainstream platforms. Hidden, a TikTok-like service, launched to counter OnlyFans’ new background checks and expansion into non-adult content. This illustrates the power dynamics between tech companies and independent creators.
The Bottom Line
Black Friday 2023 isn’t just about discounts; it’s a snapshot of broader tech trends, labor disputes, and evolving online power structures. From aggressive AI rollouts at Amazon to sex workers building their own platforms, this year’s sales highlight the complex realities behind the shopping hype.
