@gardiner_bryant On first approximation, this seems like a good idea.

But I do think that 'fix the internet' is perhaps a bit optimistic as an outcome - the underlying issue is still the fundamental way in which corporations (and capitalism) operate; by taking from the commons for personal gain, in either power *or* money. Right now, that's with data, but there's no reason it can't be done with other things.

So yeah, I do think this could make a significant difference on the topic of data collection. But I also think that this will simply cause corporations to shift to other forms of extraction and exploitation that (either by a technicality or actually) don't run afoul of this tax. And ruin the internet, and realistically all of society, in a different way.

@gardiner_bryant Loois like it's missing some images in the "computers that look like this" bit.

@gardiner_bryant I love this idea, but it pains me that most users of Facebook, X, etc. would throw an absolute fit if these companies switched to charging a monetary fee (for services those users previously regarded as "free") because platforms could no longer profit from data collection. So many users don't care enough that they are being constantly monitored to support moves like this.... It makes me sick 😫

@gardiner_bryant the issue i see is that like almost any app you'll find in the play store for example needs you to agree to be tracked for some reason even sinple apps like a clock (Googles clock app needs play services or microG to work and has network permissions).
we should stop this nonsense cuz if like every app dev has your data that means it's easier to find the one that has poor security with that or the ones that profit from tracking and profiling you.