Investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr and TED head Chris Anderson discuss whether large technology companies can operate while respecting privacy. In the conversation following Cadwalladr’s TED2025 talk, Cadwalladr argues that privacy and broader societal principles are undermined when major Silicon Valley firms gain control over communication platforms and intellectual property. She describes a dynamic in which information is exploited and people can feel powerless, while she contends that power actually lies with those shaping the systems. The discussion also addresses concerns about “surveillance fascism,” presenting it as a risk associated with extensive monitoring and manipulation. Cadwalladr emphasizes combating “information chaos” by strengthening independent media and supporting journalists. Anderson contributes as a host and interviewer, framing the debate in the context of how technology affects social order. The exchange is presented as a public conversation about the relationship between corporate platform control, privacy, and the ability of independent institutions to maintain reliable information.