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I think the nature of the entities are very different. Facebook/Google/Paypal provide a new vector of boycotting/vigilantism. People with ideologies sufficien

I think the nature of the entities are very different. Facebook/Google/Paypal provide a new vector of boycotting/vigilantism. People with ideologies sufficiently unpopular with the mainstream get targeted for boycotts, which can spread to the rest of their financial and social network. This effect is impossible to separate from society because its an expression of something that's always been part of human society -- shaming and shunning. The Chinese system is top down, and designed to maintain the Communist Party's hold on power. Every aspect of the system is dictated from the top, so of course it could easily be dismantled or changed.

creaghpatr 8y ago
I don't think they are all the same. Anyone can live fine without Facebook. Being banned from Google services would be very inconvenient, but being banned from the credit card consortium would be a life-changing blow. Chase Sapphire has stepped into the arena in this regard, canceling credit for users with unsavory political beliefs.
- AlexandrB 8y ago
  > I don't think they are all the same. Anyone can live fine without Facebook. Being banned from Google services would be very inconvenient... You're not thinking big enough. Already, even details like mobile location information is leaking into the hands of bounty hunters[1], which means such information is probably easily available to less controversial operations like insurance companies. Wait until a "background check" for housing means asking Facebook if you've ever expressed an interest in smoking. [1] https://www.engadget.com/2019/01/08/companies-resell-us-carrier-data/ https://www.engadget.com/2019/01/08/companies-resell-us-carr...