Comment by macNchz

> I'd hazard because of better access to information through the internet

I’m not sure much changed with regard to access to information on the internet in the US between 2018 and 2021.

> I don't think there is any strong evidence that the tech giants are trading in trust.

There have been a number of lively discussions here on HN over the past few years about the volume of garbage and/or counterfeit products on Amazon, and their unwillingness to address essentially fraudulent activity re reviews and product listings among their marketplace sellers.

Seeing this transition happen myself (as someone who got an Amazon rewards credit card in 2007, Prime in 2010) I absolutely viewed it as Amazon trading trust for short-term profits. Once upon a time I had trust that I could order from them without a huge amount of research and get quality, authentic products quickly. That has changed significantly, and I think broader sentiment is slowly catching up.