Sometimes, these companies" (big tech) "really are looking out for your interests. They have armies of moderators and security experts who block innumerable threats to your data, your identity, and your physical safety. But those companies will never block you from their own leadership: when your interests conflict with their plans, the fortress walls that keep bad guys out become prison walls that lock you in.

I know that this was a pretty popular article on the fediverse, but i just think its so well written.

What a well written paragraph. I love the analogy with fiddler on the roof as well. Subject matter is of course interesting to a denizen of AZ.

  • eurekaEnglish
    3·
    6 days ago

    I think this article starts off very strong, but from my perspective, loses focus on its original themes and focuses on a legislative change. Now, that makes perfect sense given the 2022 US context of the article and the purpose of the article, it’s clearly part of a campaign to build support for legislation which would ideally reduce the anti-competitive actions described. Nothing wrong with that, but disappointing to read here and now.

    Consider the examples of collective direct action given, like the Friendster users abusing the friends feature to create interest groups. They achieved the changes they wanted without relying on a slow and tenuous legal process. Legislative change should not be considered the primary way forward, merely one of many options, because ultimately legislation is not beholden to us.

    • Gorgritch_Umie_KillaOP
      2·
      6 days ago

      In an Australian context i’ve viewed it slightly differently, we have an active enforcer in the ACCC.

      So my question is what point, if any, does the Commissioner call time on the concept of the walled garden being primarily a safety device and pursue it as anti-competitive conduct.

      Its been a long time since i’ve read through requirements. Unless they’ve changed it a big moment may be if/when sections of the fediverse commercialise, and the ‘walled garden concept’ can be said to be affecting the market access of actual/potential customers/businesses, not simply users.