3 ms·

>Otherwise, few bat an eye that between them Google and Facebook (and perhaps 2-3 other players) Big difference there between the one government that can put y

>Otherwise, few bat an eye that between them Google and Facebook (and perhaps 2-3 other players) Big difference there between the one government that can put you in jail and you cannot divorce without leaving the country (sometimes not even then), and some fragmented web services you can point your browser in a different place. Enormous, meaningful difference worth fighting over.

codedokode 9y ago
What prevents Google and Facebook from sharing data with the government? Especially if nobody would know about it?
- allover 9y ago
  I can choose not to use/give meaningful data to Google and Facebook, but I don't get to opt out of elected government. I agree with GPP that the 2 aren't really comparable.
  - coldtea 9y ago
    >I can choose not to use/give meaningful data to Google and Facebook Between Google Ads on tons of site, their Google Analytics in tons of sites, your friends sharing stuff, photos etc with you on Facebook, your friends receiving your messages on their Gmail account, and the several other (differently branded) services they own, not to mention sites hosted by them on GAE and such, sites serving you Google Web Fonts, etc, you don't really have much choice... Especially with Google being the only game in town for quality search results.
    - mattnewton 9y ago
      If you are willing to trade some convenience for privacy from private companies, it is doable. You cannot make such a trade with the government. I agree it is hard (and often infringed upon by friends who can trade your privacy without your consent), but it is possible to a degree and that makes the distinction really important. By all means though, let's regulate the internet giants to make it even easier. But I don't subscribe to the opinion that the battle is already lost, or that these moderately powerful companies have the same potential effect on our lives as our government.

codedokode 9y ago

What prevents Google and Facebook from sharing data with the government? Especially if nobody would know about it?

allover 9y ago
I can choose not to use/give meaningful data to Google and Facebook, but I don't get to opt out of elected government. I agree with GPP that the 2 aren't really comparable.
- coldtea 9y ago
  >I can choose not to use/give meaningful data to Google and Facebook Between Google Ads on tons of site, their Google Analytics in tons of sites, your friends sharing stuff, photos etc with you on Facebook, your friends receiving your messages on their Gmail account, and the several other (differently branded) services they own, not to mention sites hosted by them on GAE and such, sites serving you Google Web Fonts, etc, you don't really have much choice... Especially with Google being the only game in town for quality search results.
  - mattnewton 9y ago
    If you are willing to trade some convenience for privacy from private companies, it is doable. You cannot make such a trade with the government. I agree it is hard (and often infringed upon by friends who can trade your privacy without your consent), but it is possible to a degree and that makes the distinction really important. By all means though, let's regulate the internet giants to make it even easier. But I don't subscribe to the opinion that the battle is already lost, or that these moderately powerful companies have the same potential effect on our lives as our government.