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What can regular people even do about this? It's a disgusting overreach if it ends up happening. And if it's all being performed by private companies, in indust

What can regular people even do about this? It's a disgusting overreach if it ends up happening. And if it's all being performed by private companies, in industries where there is very little choice of competitors, there's no violation of rights and no way for us to avoid having our private messages be scrutinized by some authority.

6f8986c3 5y ago
Regulation, unfortunately, probably can’t solve this. Imagine that we had the most thoroughly crafted law imaginable to prevent private messages from being blocked or modified. You still have to take those companies to court, which cost a ton of money, fight them over years, and even if you win, then what? The only workable strategies I see at this point are to fight to preserve individual choice, and the ability to connect point-to-point.
the_third_wave 5y ago
The same thing people are doing under other repressive regimes like the ones in Russia, Iran, Venezuela and others (China comes to mind but the CCP has been quite successful in suppressing dissent): stop using open channels, start using encrypted [1] communications for things which go outside of the currently mandated narrative, assume your communications are being monitored by "the Party" so make sure to appear to be a good citizen when using open communication channels unless you're willing to suffer the consequences. Also, make sure to vote wisely the next time and hold whatever candidate you vote for to his promises. Don't just follow whatever stupid narrative you're being fed, think for yourself. > ...if it's all being performed by private companies, in industries where there is very little choice of competitors, there's no violation of rights and no way for us to avoid having our private messages be scrutinized by some authority. If those private companies serve as the regime's lackeys doing their bidding to monitor citizens communications they should not be treated like private companies but as state actors. [1] where encrypted should be read as "encrypted without _NSAKEY (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSAKEY https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSAKEY)" et al.
bassman9000 5y ago
Stop voting the blatantly conglomerated collusion that is Big Tech + MSM + DNC.
- 6f8986c3 5y ago
  The RINOs won’t save us, and there are a few good Dems (Tulsi). The bullshit doesn’t fall along party lines.
  - bassman9000 5y ago
    Didn't say who to vote. I know there are a few good Democrats. Do your own research, or don't vote. I have no doubt many in the GOP salivate at the prospect of enjoying the Orwellian tools the Democrats are building. There's a cartel of media, big tech execs, and Dem members that are pushing all of this, and people keep voting them, every. single. time. Since, at least, the Obama days. So much "collusion" mentioned, and most people around here will look another way when you mention them The Collusion. You get what you pay for.
    - bassman9000 5y ago
      For the downvoters https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1415725320381079569?s=20 https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1415725320381079569?s=... It's happening. Been happening for a while. We must take responsibility.
    - 6f8986c3 5y ago
      Even before Obama. Bush, definitely. Same for the Clintons. I think maybe Eisenhower was our last American president.

6f8986c3 5y ago

Regulation, unfortunately, probably can’t solve this. Imagine that we had the most thoroughly crafted law imaginable to prevent private messages from being blocked or modified. You still have to take those companies to court, which cost a ton of money, fight them over years, and even if you win, then what? The only workable strategies I see at this point are to fight to preserve individual choice, and the ability to connect point-to-point.

the_third_wave 5y ago

The same thing people are doing under other repressive regimes like the ones in Russia, Iran, Venezuela and others (China comes to mind but the CCP has been quite successful in suppressing dissent): stop using open channels, start using encrypted [1] communications for things which go outside of the currently mandated narrative, assume your communications are being monitored by "the Party" so make sure to appear to be a good citizen when using open communication channels unless you're willing to suffer the consequences. Also, make sure to vote wisely the next time and hold whatever candidate you vote for to his promises. Don't just follow whatever stupid narrative you're being fed, think for yourself. > ...if it's all being performed by private companies, in industries where there is very little choice of competitors, there's no violation of rights and no way for us to avoid having our private messages be scrutinized by some authority. If those private companies serve as the regime's lackeys doing their bidding to monitor citizens communications they should not be treated like private companies but as state actors. [1] where encrypted should be read as "encrypted without _NSAKEY (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSAKEY https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSAKEY)" et al.

bassman9000 5y ago

Stop voting the blatantly conglomerated collusion that is Big Tech + MSM + DNC.

6f8986c3 5y ago
The RINOs won’t save us, and there are a few good Dems (Tulsi). The bullshit doesn’t fall along party lines.
- bassman9000 5y ago
  Didn't say who to vote. I know there are a few good Democrats. Do your own research, or don't vote. I have no doubt many in the GOP salivate at the prospect of enjoying the Orwellian tools the Democrats are building. There's a cartel of media, big tech execs, and Dem members that are pushing all of this, and people keep voting them, every. single. time. Since, at least, the Obama days. So much "collusion" mentioned, and most people around here will look another way when you mention them The Collusion. You get what you pay for.
  - bassman9000 5y ago
    For the downvoters https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1415725320381079569?s=20 https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1415725320381079569?s=... It's happening. Been happening for a while. We must take responsibility.
  - 6f8986c3 5y ago
    Even before Obama. Bush, definitely. Same for the Clintons. I think maybe Eisenhower was our last American president.