Έλλεν Εμίλια Ά.ζ.
Does there exist any meaningful organized push-back against all the stuff that is essentially "tie people's personal ID to their computers and internet access, then subsequently restrict their internet access accordingly"? If yes, how does one join that, if no, how does one bootstrap that?
Mar 2 at 8:29pmWeb
Show threadΈλλεν Εμίλια Ά.ζ.Mar 2

like, the most extreme form of this I could imagine would be "you need to obtain a certificate/license of successful training in Internet and perhaps pay a regular fee to be able to access most/all of the internet, otherwise you only get a very narrowed-down version (even if you could reach the servers, the servers would also be forced by law by default to deny you access w/o the cert".

That's not technically impossible to implement.

Show threadΈλλεν Εμίλια Ά.ζ.Mar 2

In fact, it would be way easier to implement than the "ban social media for kids+teenagers" stuff considered currently.

You just need to either get buy-in or force social media providers, VPN providers and ISPs to implement that.

Show threadΈλλεν Εμίλια Ά.ζ.Mar 2

Sure, it would massively restrict access for most people. But what if you just would have to buy a device in a store to get access to a VPN to view "adult content", and you need to show an ID to buy it. (similarly, make SIM cards age-gated; they often already require ID).

It's easy (both in implementation and policy, and easily enforceable after a grace period), devastating in impact, and most critique of age-gating or whatever curr. considered wouldn't apply.

Show threadΈλλεν Εμίλια Ά.ζ.Mar 2
Also consider, that it wouldn't even be less secure than doing it in the end-user device, given that people can just hand an end-user device to another person, too.
Show threadΈλλεν Εμίλια Ά.ζ.Mar 2
People are joking about the "Internet access license" (like: driving license) in Germany, it's a common meme for decades. It could become an enforced reality very quickly.
Show threadΈλλεν Εμίλια Ά.ζ.Mar 2
(I hope this version doesn't become a policy proposal as a "compromise"... it wouldn't even technically be a bad compromise, it would just actually imo be too easy to enforce, and shift the overton window massively)
Show threadΈλλεν Εμίλια Ά.ζ.Mar 2
this idea was brought to me by https://blog.giovanh.com/blog/2025/10/14/a-hack-is-not-enough/, and subsequently thinking about how one would implement the "internet access bans" currently considered in EU policy such that it would also avoid basically all the privacy critique and such against it, while still not tackling the issue of "large online platforms should be properly regulated".
A Hack is Not Enough

Twisted Sister's "there ain't no way we'll lose it" political theory has not held up

Show threadΈλλεν Εμίλια Ά.ζ.Mar 2

What I'm actually wanting to say:

Now is the time for overlay networks and a total splintering of the Internet as we know it.

Net neutrality discussions of the past will feel tame and mild compared to what's about to come.

Show threadΈλλεν Εμίλια Ά.ζ.Mar 4

actually, if the weird bans itself can't be prevented, this approach would be imo one of the best possible implementations.

Maybe I'm a bit biased. Germans love their overlay networks. Just look at Gematik, DN42, etc. (this is perhaps the most hilarious list I've ever made)

Show threadVerena StarwalkerMar 2

@fogti I can make things even more scary.

Security checks, at getting the cert, and every time you renew, or whenever they feel like beating more info out of you.

They keep your responses for future blackmail, or intelligence and investigation use should you question capitalism and the state...

Show threadΈλλεν Εμίλια Ά.ζ.Mar 2
@virtuafox One could additionally, for the "internet access VPN device" mentioned in my thread, implement it such that the license is "plugged in" by being saved on a smart card. Then you can even just distribute the device very cheaply, and make "obtaining the necessary smart card" the hard part.