Consent of the Networked: The Fight for a Free and Open Internet

The internet is a powerful tool that has revolutionized the way we live, work, and communicate. A free and open internet is essential for a healthy democracy, as it allows for the free flow of information and ideas.

The internet was initially designed to be a decentralized network, where information could be shared freely and equally among all users. This design principle is known as net neutrality.

In the early days of the internet, users were able to access any website or service they wanted, without interference from internet service providers (ISPs). This freedom allowed for the growth of innovative online communities and services.

However, in recent years, ISPs have begun to prioritize certain types of traffic over others, effectively creating a two-tiered internet. This undermines the original design principle of net neutrality.

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The book "Consent of the Networked" is a comprehensive guide to understanding the power dynamics of online interactions. It explores how social media platforms can be used to shape public opinion and influence decision-making processes.

The book is divided into five parts, each focusing on a different aspect of online interactions, including the role of social media in shaping public opinion, the impact of online harassment on individuals and communities, and the ways in which online platforms can be used to mobilize social movements.

The book provides a range of tools and resources for readers to use in their own online interactions, including a guide to creating effective online campaigns and a toolkit for analyzing and critiquing online content.

By providing a nuanced understanding of the complex power dynamics at play online, the book empowers readers to think critically about their own online interactions and to use their online presence to create positive change.

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Global Internet Freedom is a crucial aspect of the online world.

Global Voices Online is an online community dedicated to amplifying independent online voices from outside North America and Europe.

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MacKinnon suggests expanding the technical commons by building and distributing tools to help activists and make organizations more transparent and accountable.

These tools include circumvention and anonymization tools, software for greater data security and portability, and devices to expand communication and participation, especially in repressed countries.

Citizens can devise systematic and effective strategies for organizing, lobbying, and collective bargaining with companies whose services they depend on.

This includes minimizing the chances that terms of service, design choices, technical decisions, or market entry strategies could put people at risk or infringe their rights.

The concept of Consent of the Networked is not without its challenges and criticisms. One of the main concerns is that it can be difficult to obtain informed consent from users, especially in situations where they are not aware of the data being collected or how it will be used.

The lack of transparency and accountability in data collection and usage is a major issue. In the article, it is mentioned that companies like Google and Facebook have been criticized for their data collection practices, with some arguing that users are not fully aware of what they are consenting to.

The idea of "informed consent" is also problematic, as users may not have the necessary knowledge or expertise to make informed decisions about their data. This can lead to a situation where users are giving consent without fully understanding the implications.

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The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Problem is a major issue with classifying private digital entities as "sovereigns." This problem occurs when declaring a digital operator as a sovereign or essential social facility tips the market in favor of that particular platform or company.

The article notes that if we were to hold a formal "constitutional convention" for Facebookistan and its users, it could lock Facebook in as the primary or preferred choice for social networking. Public utility regulation often shelters a utility from competition once it is enshrined as such.

Regulation can help lock in a market leader by forcing standardization or a common platform, erecting de jure or de facto barriers to entry that restrict beneficial innovation and disruption. This is the opposite of what we want to achieve.

Declaring Facebook or Google as market leaders by special rules governing MacKinnon's mythical sovereigns of "Facebookistan" and "Googledom" is not a good idea.

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In the tech world, power begets power, but not in the way you might think. The Velocity of “Tech Titan” Meltdowns shows us that even the most dominant digital giants can fall rapidly.

Most actual sovereigns rule for decades or even centuries, but digital providers and platforms have a much shorter shelf life. The reign of most actual sovereigns is usually measured in decades, even centuries.

The tech market is a harsh disciplinarian, punishing those that don't satisfy user and customer desires. Markets discipline and sometimes severely punish those that don’t satisfy the desires of users and customers.

AOL and MySpace are prime examples of digital giants that have faded from the picture. If MacKinnon had written her book just a decade ago, would she have referred to AOL as a “sovereign of cyberspace”? If she had penned it five years ago, would she have fretted about “MySpace-istan”?

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MacKinnon has issued a call-to-action, urging us to take a stand for Internet freedom. She's a leading force in the "Net freedom" movement, which aims to hold governments and corporate actors accountable for their actions online.

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The term "Net freedom" can be subjective, but on a global scale, it's about promoting online speech, expression, and accountability. MacKinnon has won praise for her efforts to create an institutional structure that encourages private actors to prioritize user rights.

She played a key role in establishing the Global Network Initiative (GNI), a voluntary code of conduct for online operators in repressive states. The GNI lays out principles for online expression, privacy, corporate transparency, and multi-stakeholder interaction.

MacKinnon's book, "Consent of the Networked", aims to take the "Net freedom" movement to the next level by formalizing it and establishing governance principles. Many of her proposals are sensible, but her use of the term "digital sovereigns" and "sovereignty" can be misleading.

MacKinnon sometimes blurs the lines between private power and political power, equating the two. This can lead to confusion about the real issues at hand, such as dealing with actual government power over digital networks.

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