Book contents
- Free Internet Access as a Human Right
- Free Internet Access as a Human Right
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Part I Justifications
- Part II Obligations
- 5 Poverty as a Standard Threat
- 6 States as Standard Threats
- 7 Private Companies as Standard Threats
- 8 Other Internet Users as Standard Threats
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
7 - Private Companies as Standard Threats
from Part II - Obligations
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 November 2024
- Free Internet Access as a Human Right
- Free Internet Access as a Human Right
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Part I Justifications
- Part II Obligations
- 5 Poverty as a Standard Threat
- 6 States as Standard Threats
- 7 Private Companies as Standard Threats
- 8 Other Internet Users as Standard Threats
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
Much of the internet of today is dominated by the big tech companies such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon that use it to amass profits. The chapter looks at three ways in which their pursuit of profit arbitrarily interferes with people’s access to and use of the internet. (1) Big Tech corporations operate a version of the internet that forces users to yield personal data in exchange for ‘free’ services. The chapter explains why this routine harvesting of personal data is morally problematic as it forces internet users to choose between two elements of minimally decent lives: their privacy and accessing the internet. (2) Social media platforms are among the dominant online services today. They have enhanced opportunities for exercising human rights, but their business practices also limit people in the enjoyment of these rights. The chapter suggests several ways for improving the situation. (3) Some businesses lobby for ending net neutrality. The chapter explains why net neutrality is crucial for keeping internet access free from arbitrary interferences, and argues for a version of net neutrality that allows some unequal treatment of data that does not diminish human rights.
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- Information
- Free Internet Access as a Human Right , pp. 230 - 277Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2024