Re: <nettime> Francine Prose: America feels like a country on the brink of an authoritarian takeover (TG)

[Geoffrey Goodell via nettime-l <nettime-l@lists.nettime.org>]

Dear all,

On Tue, 27 Jan 2026 at 12:20:34PM +0000, Norbert Bollow via nettime-l wrote:
> Also, in relation to tech, including in particular AI and other aspects
> of networked digital communication and data processing systems, Europe
> and others (including in particular Canada and India) are realizing that
> neither the US nor China can be trusted. I think that in this situation,
> there could be an opportunity for establishing an influential
> techno-social movement to push for justice and equity in the digital
> realm (outside the US and China).

I have some simple suggestions for legislation in service of this limited
objective:

(1) Affirm the right of individuals to visit public spaces and travel on public
transport without carrying identity documents or being subjected to biometric
surveillance.  This will roll back pernicious tracking.

(2) Affirm the right of individuals to use anonymising proxies (including but
not limited to Tor and VPN services) to access any website operated by
government or regulated businesses, punishable by a fine to businesses that
block them.  This will roll back the misuse of IP addresses as a form of
identity.

(3) Mandate access to and acceptance of cash at all retail venues, without
exception.  This will roll back the misuse of banks as police officers that
engage in profiling and the practice of cutting off individuals from the
economy.

(4) Forbid hospitality venues, restaurants, clubs, concert venues, and sporting
venues from requiring visitors to possess a mobile phone or other 'trusted
hardware' device for entry.  This will roll back a key motivation for
individuals to carry tracking devices.

It might strike some of you as odd that it would be necessary to legislate to
protect these rights, but mechanisms like these shape the power relationships
of the current age.

If we are serious about justice and equity in the digital realm, we must ensure
that digital identity does not become a requirement for everyday life.

Best wishes --

Geoff

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