The world isn't so black and white. Technology can (and usually does) have the potential to both improve lives, and increase control. For example, computers have inarguably had massive benefits and been a part of nearly every major innovation for decades, but also gave governments and corporations an unprecedented ability to keep, share, and access data about people.

We are past the age of technology getting invented for the purpose of improving lives.

When was that, exactly?

The actual Luddites were put out of their high-skill guild jobs by the loom.