Comment on Can We Build Tech That Is Not Oppressive?
chemicalwonka@discuss.tchncs.de 2 months ago
Free software is the only way possible
Comment on Can We Build Tech That Is Not Oppressive?
chemicalwonka@discuss.tchncs.de 2 months ago
Free software is the only way possible
mox@lemmy.sdf.org 2 months ago
Libre software is important, and relates to the article insofar as it can help keep our own devices from spying on us, but software is but an incidental detail within a larger problem. This is about abusive power structures, bad actors with too much influence, and profit taking precedence over human rights. No software license will solve it.
SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 months ago
Further, decentralized software means fuck-all when all the hardware and pipes are owned by corporations and governments.
hendrik@palaver.p3x.de 2 months ago
Even if it allows the user to modify the software and for example remove the spying and then redistribute that to other people, as Free Software does?
mox@lemmy.sdf.org 2 months ago
Did you read the article? It’s not about spyware in the devices we “own”. That’s just a minor detail.
The problem being discussed is about governments, laws, and capitalist motives being allowed to systematically exploit people who can easily be exploited. This takes place mostly outside of our devices, so although putting safer software on our devices is absolutely worthwhile, it cannot fix this problem.
hendrik@palaver.p3x.de 2 months ago
You're right, I'm not really sure if I understand what the article is about. And how it translates to the title and us, the people.
I'm aware of oppressive regimes, weapon systems, surveillance, misinformation and manipulation taking place all around the world.
I don't think we can rely on the government or the companies though. The goverments itself are the entities opressing the people. And since the article is talking about the Trump situation... I mean all the billionaires and tech-bros were present at his inauguration ceremony, kissing his ass... I don't think we can rely on them or their employees, either...