[mattschoch]

The last paragraph: "Yes, of course everyone deserves access to the Internet. But they deserve access to an open Internet where they can own their Digital Selves..."

Does everyone actually deserve internet access? Is that an inalienable human right? If people want something of value, they have to provide value in return. If Google and Facebook see value in the people's data, then they are willing to give them "free" internet. It is a choice to give those corporations your data in exchange for their services.

Saying that people deserve something can be dangerous. Who provides these things that we all deserve? If there's no economic incentive, why would someone spend the money to provide goods and services for other people?

[icebraining]

There are hundreds (thousands?) of years of discussion on positive versus negative rights, and not everyone is convinced either way. It doesn't seem particularly fruitful to open that can of worms here.

[jff]

These days you can't hardly swing a "Coexist" bumper sticker without hitting someone claiming that X, Y, and/or Z are inalienable human rights.