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?
Comment on Can We Build Tech That Is Not Oppressive?
mox@lemmy.sdf.org 1 week agoLibre 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.
hendrik@palaver.p3x.de 1 week ago
mox@lemmy.sdf.org 1 week 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 1 week 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...
mox@lemmy.sdf.org 1 week 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.
Unfortunately, the headline is misleading. It’s possible that the author chose it because gathering an audience by criticising “tech” is easy. It’s also possible that she misunderstands the root of the issues she discusses. shrug
The only way I know of to solve the problem is to reclaim our governments, and reform them. Historically, that has been done through democracy and through revolution. The former approach is getting harder, and the way things are going, might disappear if we let it go for too long.
SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 week ago
Further, decentralized software means fuck-all when all the hardware and pipes are owned by corporations and governments.