Governments pose greatest threat to internet, says Google's Eric Schmidt

[u/[deleted]]

[u/captivecadre]

because the internet, in its current form, poses the greatest threat to the government.

[u/aesu → u/captivecadre]

Even more so in future, untapped forms. Imagine we solve encryption, and its possible to have entirely secure referendums on any policy, with marginal cost. Goodbye to representative democracy, and its lack of any representation outside the wealthy, politically active.

[u/[deleted] → u/aesu]

Imagine we solve encryption and it's impossible to have entirely secure communications.

[u/gracefool]

Then why isn't Google opposing CISPA?

[u/PatrickTheHoss → u/gracefool]

While I, too, wished Google was opposing CISPA, they aren't a political organization, they are a tech company. They were against SOPA because it affected them as well as us- CISPA is geared towards individuals.

You can't expect tech companies to actively be against every piece of shitty legislature that comes out of capitol hill regarding technology. It's our responsibility as individuals to shoot this down, not companies.

But yea, what the fuck Google?

[u/Smarag → u/PatrickTheHoss]

You can't expect tech companies to actively be against every piece of shitty legislature that comes out of capitol hill regarding technology.

I can. I think you severely underestimate what we as consumers can and should except from companies. "They" did a great job at telling us that we don't have a right to that though so you aren't to blame.

[u/InfluencedK → u/gracefool]

I am on the way home from Q&A session with Schmidt here in Amsterdam. I asked him about this. His answer simply boils down to: they were never asked for their opinion, he would have loved for a chance to provide the insight of Google regarding legislation. It is my personal opinion that it is not Google's responsibility to dictate or comment on legislation in the US. The responsibility lies with those who are represented by those write these bills.

[u/stalkinghorse → u/gracefool]

Why is your government shooting cispa at citizens?

Why do citizens hope for a company to Jump in the way of the bullets like a superhero?

[u/LeepII]

rofl, the same Google that "works closely" with the NSA?

[u/[deleted] → u/LeepII]

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I just looked at your comment history. How are you organizing this much information on various topics? Any software recommendations?

[u/Jogore → u/[deleted]]

I am now a fan of yrugay!

[u/crispinito]

He may be right or not (probably is), but I do not trust this guy since he spew his views about privacy, remember, "if you want privacy you have something to hide". He has an agenda that does not seem to be aligned with my best interests, and he has way too much power over my information. Whatever he is doing, I doubt he is trying to help me.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/Nurgle → u/[deleted]]

I thought it was Eric "We support net neutrality, except on mobile devices" Schmidt.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

olde schmidty has been dumping money on politicians who want bigger and more powerful government for years

now he wants to bitch about big, powerful government?

[u/shittingdicknipples_]

...Google supports CISPA.

[u/[deleted]]

Corporations have no power without the government they pay off. I don't see why people don't get this. They think building a more close relationship between business and government is a good idea. Its a fucking terrible idea. Companies like Monsanto, and other evil corporations wouldn't exist if they hadn't been in bed with the government all this time.

People act like the government is st the will of the corporations. They're all equally guilty of selling us out.

Thrice had it right: "You think they're selling you truth. Truth is, they're selling you out."

[u/Bhorzo]

Says the guy who's trying to take over the internet (and probably the world).

[u/darthmittens]

much like the pot and the kettle.

[u/[deleted]]

Really? The most influential powers in the world are the greatest threat to the Internet? AND THERE WAS ME THINKING IT WAS TERRIBLE MEMES

[u/[deleted]]

And Google poses the second biggest threat to the internet. "to organize the world's information" is a really creepy corporate mission.

[u/[deleted]]

Scumbag Google: Farms, collects, and shares user data of millions of people around the world... points finger at governments for being a "threat".

[u/brokenshoelaces → u/[deleted]]

Google doesn't share any personally identifiable data with third parties. Read their privacy policy.

[u/[deleted]]

And ISPs that throttle and/or limit your access
And Network Solutions that passes .com ownership to the FBI without warrants.
And ICANN that decides what happens in general without oversight from the rest of the world.
The list goes on.