this is plausible (and very worrisome if really true). We are not talking about an aspirational consumer device, it is already the case that you are being cutof

this is plausible (and very worrisome if really true). We are not talking about an aspirational consumer device, it is already the case that you are being cutoff from regular life / the economy without one. Incidentaly, I don't buy the "people don't care" argument. First of all, people do care. There is massive legislation in the EU (which represents half a billion people) towards data privacy. They are not freaks - well informed people obviously care about privacy. This touches also companies / commercial privacy and states (data sovereignty etc). But it is true that large numbers around the world are dazed and confused ("don't care") as nobody credible (and holding a large mouthpiece) is actually warning them. But if you are right and its not viable (e.g why did blackberry not survive given companies at least should appreciate privacy) it is a baffling state to have degenerated into.