"I think it's the point that trusted computing is optional" It is optional the way the Internet is optional; in theory you can live without it but no longer pr

"I think it's the point that trusted computing is optional" It is optional the way the Internet is optional; in theory you can live without it but no longer practical. If companies keep pushing these systems, eventually they will become a requirement all over the place. Microsoft's track record with UEFI bootloader restrictions makes it pretty clear what that future looks like: cheap devices used by the masses will be more heavily restricted, while those who can shell out 3-4x the money can get a computer that at least allows them to run whatever software they want to run. "why should Netflix give you a full 4k stream when you've chosen to disable the widevine extension in your browser?" Why should Netflix dictate what hardware and operating system I get to run? A basic design principle of the Web, which Netflix relies on to avoid having to provision set-top boxes for their customers, is that anyone can implement a client without first seeking permission. In an ideal world Netflix would have to respect the basic design principles of the Web and of the Internet in order to benefit from those systems, but we obviously do not live in an ideal world. The largest companies in tech and media are trying to rewrite the rules of the consumer markets they do business in for their own benefit. For the entertainment companies DRM is a convenient way to avoid copyright laws (i.e. the part where copyrights expire and where fair use is a defense against infringement claims), and for tech companies DRM is a strategic play that allows them to control the devices they sell to users and monetize that control by selling DRM features to media companies. The legal and financial structures in place today encourage this behavior, and the concentration of power and lack of effective competition are making it possible.