Is anyone here scared of big tech?

Jan 14, 2021 7 Comments

During the unfortunate recent developments in the U.S in the past couple of weeks, I observed the power of big tech when they are coordinated. The fact that they can openly banish the POTUS gives me the chills!

I am a proponent of true democracy and of free speech. I am totally in agreement with the "why", in this case. My fear is stemming from the "how". Should it be upto these tech companies to decide who could see, say or do what, in this society? We have seen it's impact back in 2016 and now this, in 2020. What is the impact of such power on the common man like me? Where would we be able to draw a line to their power on our society? They hold no accountability to the people. Should they be all powerful? What could we do?
#tech

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  • VMware
    Mr.Dabada

    Go to company page VMware

    BIO
    Not at VMware anymore. TC 330K
     Mr.Dabada
    Tech has too much power agreed, but the tool shouldn’t be misused. Similarly media has a lot of power. The news made out of context using “allegedly” can also have equally bad impact.

    Yes, tech has too much power, however there is no “Right to use Twitter” in the amendments. I’m open to have some reforms in this space to happen, but again, these are private companies. Like every private company, one works with their terms & condition, and like majority of the private companies, they hold the right to reservation as well.
    Jan 14, 2021 1
    • OP
      Yes, I totally understand and agree to this. But if a group of tech orgs can coordinate and become all powerful, shouldn't there be checks and regulations in place to make it at least less ominous?
      Jan 14, 2021
  • Snap / Eng
    3chains

    Go to company page Snap Eng

     3chains
    Strawman IMO. Big tech does not decide "who could see, say or do what"; big tech built a private enterprise that can and has been copied.

    Banned off Twitter or Reddit? Try the dozens of alt
    .
    Banned off cloud services? Buy server racks or try the alts.

    Banned from payment APIs? Build your own.

    Unless root name DNS bans you, there is a market alternative, and nothing is stopping you from exploring those. If all alternatives fail to service you; then, that is a right that the right has fought for private enterprise to hold and exercise. Tech is not special, and if you can deny a gay couple a cake, tech can deny folks bad for business access to the popular market solution.

    There is no reason anyone should be guaranteed the right to free reach on the most popular social media platform or guaranteed use of the most popular market solution.

    Even if I were sympathetic to the opposing viewpoint, I have no reason to trust that a government entity would not wield regulation as a political weapon or for other corruption. You'd then get the same problems, but the winners would swing in favor of the ruling party of the time.
    Jan 14, 2021 1
    • OP
      I agree with your points of having alternatives. However, just having an alternate solution, for one, is expensive and not all commoners would have the time and resources. It also doesn't guarantee the same presence. So the message it sends is, you listen to what we think you should say or do, if not, good luck, you are on your own. How's it then different from what many oppressive governments and organizations do? It may be ok today, because the rules to stay on are socially acceptable in a democratic society. But what if they start becoming more self serving at the cost of the people? What is to stop them?
      Remember that in a democracy, the Government is still by the people, how much ever contrary to it, people believe it to be today. But that will never be true in for-profit organizations. People will never have a say. On top of it, if they could wield so much power on the Government, too, where is the line?
      Jan 14, 2021
  • OP
    https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/13/twitter-ceo-jack-dorsey-internet-companies-too-powerful.html
    Jan 15, 2021 1
  • Instasize
    oLjl72

    Instasize

    oLjl72
    Same thoughts here
    Jan 14, 2021 0