3 ms·

Isn't Google a private company?

by hluska 8y ago

ocdtrekkie 8y ago
The fact that a private company can essentially execute you or your business from the Internet is exactly what's so terrifying.
- hluska 8y ago
  How is that terrifying? I can access the web, use all the base protocols (email, etc) and store all my documents without having to rely upon Google. If I don't like/trust Google, I can easily migrate away. And, if enough people don't like it to make this "Kafka-esque nightmare" more than hyperbole, then the laws of private organizations will catch up and Google will either shape up or be no more. This is almost the polar opposite of Kafka-esque.
  - dvfjsdhgfv 8y ago
    > I can access the web, use all the base protocols (email, etc) Well, sort-of, and still. If you use the web, you are constantly being tracked by Google as people mindlessly put GA code on all their websites. As for e-mail, it's more and more difficult to set up an e-mail server these days because of anti-spam measures, and Google/MS are dictating the terms here - but MS has a much more relaxed policy. Each time I set up a new mail server, I have to go through the same set of rituals, only to discover Google came up with another requirement and will not deliver my mail if I don't do it.
- simias 8y ago
  Only if you give them that power. The popular wisdom not to put all your eggs in one basket is still relevant. You generally can't opt-out from your government, you definitely don't have to opt-in Google services.
  - scardine 8y ago
    You can opt-out from your government by moving to another country - you have more choice than you have on mobile where there is only Google or Apple... :-)
applecrazy 8y ago
No, Google is a publicly traded company.
- hluska 8y ago
  Yes, of course, but they're not part of government. They're a company... These Kafka-esque arguments are way over the top when applied to a private, profit seeking organization.
scardine 8y ago
So are you arguing that this behavior is acceptable from private companies but not from governments? You can't argue both 1) companies are allowed to do anything they want and 2) they can grow unlimited monopolies. If you do, sooner or later they will surpass national states in power and you have an even worst distopia.

Isn't Google a private company?

by hluska 8y ago

Isn't Google a private company?

The fact that a private company can essentially execute you or your business from the Internet is exactly what's so terrifying.

hluska 8y ago
How is that terrifying? I can access the web, use all the base protocols (email, etc) and store all my documents without having to rely upon Google. If I don't like/trust Google, I can easily migrate away. And, if enough people don't like it to make this "Kafka-esque nightmare" more than hyperbole, then the laws of private organizations will catch up and Google will either shape up or be no more. This is almost the polar opposite of Kafka-esque.
- dvfjsdhgfv 8y ago
  > I can access the web, use all the base protocols (email, etc) Well, sort-of, and still. If you use the web, you are constantly being tracked by Google as people mindlessly put GA code on all their websites. As for e-mail, it's more and more difficult to set up an e-mail server these days because of anti-spam measures, and Google/MS are dictating the terms here - but MS has a much more relaxed policy. Each time I set up a new mail server, I have to go through the same set of rituals, only to discover Google came up with another requirement and will not deliver my mail if I don't do it.
simias 8y ago
Only if you give them that power. The popular wisdom not to put all your eggs in one basket is still relevant. You generally can't opt-out from your government, you definitely don't have to opt-in Google services.
- scardine 8y ago
  You can opt-out from your government by moving to another country - you have more choice than you have on mobile where there is only Google or Apple... :-)

applecrazy 8y ago

No, Google is a publicly traded company.

hluska 8y ago
Yes, of course, but they're not part of government. They're a company... These Kafka-esque arguments are way over the top when applied to a private, profit seeking organization.

scardine 8y ago

So are you arguing that this behavior is acceptable from private companies but not from governments? You can't argue both 1) companies are allowed to do anything they want and 2) they can grow unlimited monopolies. If you do, sooner or later they will surpass national states in power and you have an even worst distopia.