Lock-in Effect

A situation where an organization becomes unable to switch away from an adopted technology or long-term contract due to switching costs, sunk data investments, or contractual constraints—even when better alternatives emerge or the current system proves disadvantageous.

Articles on this principle

• Once Surveillance Cameras Are Installed, Cities Can't Remove Them: The Lock-In Dilemma of Flock Safety

  When 100,000 AI surveillance cameras are already ubiquitous and cities discover they've signed contracts they can't exit—how does technology lock-in turn democratic decision-making into a hostage of technicality?