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A great deal has been said about free speech in this country, and abroad, in the last few weeks. From public squares to parliamentary debates, the very essence of expressing one’s mind has been under intense scrutiny. But as we dissect the nuances of what can and cannot be said, and the platforms on which these expressions unfold, we must confront a parallel, equally vital concept: the freedom of technology itself.
In an age where our lives are inextricably linked to digital platforms, the internet, and an ever-evolving array of devices, the discourse on free speech cannot be divorced from the technological infrastructure that underpins it. Technology is no longer merely a tool; it has become the very stage upon which modern liberty is often performed.
Consider this: if free speech is the right to articulate one’s views without fear of arbitrary censorship, then what does it mean when the algorithms that shape our information feed are opaque? What about the ‘walled gardens’ of dominant tech companies that dictate who can speak, how they can speak, and to whom their words are amplified? The promise of the internet was decentralization and open access, a true global commons for ideas. Yet, increasingly, we see power consolidating in the hands of a few tech giants, capable of shaping narratives, stifling dissent, or even de-platforming individuals and organizations at will.
Therefore, the battle for free speech today is also a battle for the freedom of technology. This encompasses a broad spectrum of concerns: advocating for open-source software, ensuring net neutrality, championing the ‘right to repair’ our devices, and pushing back against surveillance capitalism. It’s about ensuring that the digital infrastructure remains an open, accessible, and neutral space, rather than a series of privately owned fiefdoms dictating terms.
Just as previous generations fought for the right to assemble and speak freely in public spaces, our generation must fight for the equivalent in the digital realm. The freedom of technology is not just about having the latest gadget; it’s about the fundamental liberty to innovate, communicate, and participate in a democratic society without undue control or manipulation. It’s time we recognised that true freedom in the 21st century demands not just free speech, but free technology to enable it.
Source: Original Article
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