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You're right, it's more of a conspiracy theory than anything else, but I can't get past the idea that tech corporations are suddenly interested in right's of us

by ihsw 13y ago

You're right, it's more of a conspiracy theory than anything else, but I can't get past the idea that tech corporations are suddenly interested in right's of users to privacy from their government.

arrrg 13y ago
Suddenly? Of course suddenly! The relevations were sudden, the consequences are sudden. On a macro level tech companies are not interested in the government invading the privacy of the people who are using their services because at the very least it doesn’t benefit them in any way. It might even be an inconvenience to deal with in some cases. The problem is, however, that at any moment large tech companies deal with many issues and problems and they prioritise some over others, on a macro level probably mostly depending on how much money they stand to make. Now, the government invading the privacy of their users certainly doesn’t make them any money – but most of the time it probably also doesn’t lose them any money, or only very little. However, now everyone is talking about it. More people are starting to care about privacy and the companies can expect to lose at least some customers. Many medium-sized businesses in Germany have already been banning any and all US online services for company use, but the revelations might increase their number even more, for example. So now companies are becoming more active. On the macro level because they stand to lose money. But I’m pretty sure that the picture will be very different when looking at the micro level. I’m pretty sure that when you look at the people leading the charge for these companies you will find many who feel passionately about this and always have been. It’s just that now there is both enough political capital inside the company to actually start lobbying and the revelations have also put pressure on the government, so moving the status quo got (even if only ever so slightly) easier. Many people you will hear speak for these companies will actually feel passionately about this. It’s just that now is also the opportunity for them to do something.
- CaptainZapp 13y ago
  Many medium-sized businesses in Germany have already been banning any and all US online services for company use, but the revelations might increase their number even more, for example. And I don't think it's limited to online services. Cisco routers? Intel chips? Microsoft software? Suddenly just about every American technology product is about as suspicious (or even more so) than anything out of China. I believe this whole sordid affair and especially the revelations about the subversion of protocols and possible back doors has tainted the US tech industry, possibly beyond repair.

by ihsw 13y ago

You're right, it's more of a conspiracy theory than anything else, but I can't get past the idea that tech corporations are suddenly interested in right's of users to privacy from their government.

arrrg 13y ago

Suddenly? Of course suddenly! The relevations were sudden, the consequences are sudden. On a macro level tech companies are not interested in the government invading the privacy of the people who are using their services because at the very least it doesn’t benefit them in any way. It might even be an inconvenience to deal with in some cases. The problem is, however, that at any moment large tech companies deal with many issues and problems and they prioritise some over others, on a macro level probably mostly depending on how much money they stand to make. Now, the government invading the privacy of their users certainly doesn’t make them any money – but most of the time it probably also doesn’t lose them any money, or only very little. However, now everyone is talking about it. More people are starting to care about privacy and the companies can expect to lose at least some customers. Many medium-sized businesses in Germany have already been banning any and all US online services for company use, but the revelations might increase their number even more, for example. So now companies are becoming more active. On the macro level because they stand to lose money. But I’m pretty sure that the picture will be very different when looking at the micro level. I’m pretty sure that when you look at the people leading the charge for these companies you will find many who feel passionately about this and always have been. It’s just that now there is both enough political capital inside the company to actually start lobbying and the revelations have also put pressure on the government, so moving the status quo got (even if only ever so slightly) easier. Many people you will hear speak for these companies will actually feel passionately about this. It’s just that now is also the opportunity for them to do something.

CaptainZapp 13y ago
Many medium-sized businesses in Germany have already been banning any and all US online services for company use, but the revelations might increase their number even more, for example. And I don't think it's limited to online services. Cisco routers? Intel chips? Microsoft software? Suddenly just about every American technology product is about as suspicious (or even more so) than anything out of China. I believe this whole sordid affair and especially the revelations about the subversion of protocols and possible back doors has tainted the US tech industry, possibly beyond repair.