3 ms·
I used to believe, at least in the early days, that these tech companies were successful in upholding the values of freedom of expression, speech, and exchange
by dimitrios1 5y ago
I used to believe, at least in the early days, that these tech companies were successful in upholding the values of freedom of expression, speech, and exchange of information, subsequently the values that the early internet itself formed around. They were anti-authoritarian.
Now it seems they willingly accept being pushed around, succumb to any request to compromise its values in the interest of shareholder value, and willingly collude with authoritarian requests from governments.
It's all so typical, in a way. Whatever shred of idealism I had left for these companies is now completely gone.
- ludamad 5y agoThe problem is that the more a company wants to draw a line in the sand against a government, the more it must be a monopoly of some kind otherwise be replaced by someone who doesn't
- dimitrios1 5y agoI find the reverse to be true. It is only when a company becomes a monopoly does it begin acting in this way. It becomes hellbent on maintaining that monopoly.