I started my highschool live in Indonesia. In the 2005s, The Internet is still an open place where you can access anything you want. However, Indonesia started to censor websites when porn becomes viral. That was alright, however they went further and went too far and censored:
There’s also a time when I worked in a company. Although I was given my own computer, I was restricted to do anything including install my own software, programming, and retrieve data on USB which I don’t like working like that.
I began to realize the value of privacy when I started studying abroad. In Indonesia, there wasn’t anything much about monitoring, even people are free to use peer to peer network like torrent. When I started abroad, I was surprise that the police can arrest you for downloading pirated movies and softwares, and using illegal applications. Sure, I understand about uploading, but downloading I disagree, because I may download something illegal without my knowledge and to be arrested because that. Even if it’s accidental and the authorities would let me go, it’s a very big waste of time going through the process. Though, I still respect them more because they leave The Internet open.
There’s also about the Snowden case where I was shocked the CIA was intruding in our privacy. Although, the reason is to prevent crime, but that’s still a bridge that should not be crossed, because they are still humans where they can abuse and monopolize their power.
It was here that I started my dedication. I decided to upload my Youtube videos to Dailymotion, Vimeo, Veoh, and Liveleak. I decided to attempt because there are articles about importing Youtube videos to Dailymotion, and made me interested. I read these video platforms terms and services and found that there’s nothing about importing my Youtube videos to these sites. The videos on my Youtube had no problem over a month so I decided to import them. So far, no problem with Dailymotion.
The Internet was originally a free and open space and these experiences hurt me deeply. I began to realize how these central authorities wielded absolute power and won’t even compromise for their customers. Never trust these central authorities and always hold your own data. Their role is suppose to serve the customers, but when they grow big, they will monopolize their power because it’s no longer they who needed the customers, it is us customers who needed them. Sure that this no problem for nobles, celebrities, and other popular and important people, but for us commoners, it’s like we are treated like garbage. Know this that I will use all of my effort to turn away people from your platforms.
Detailed solution will be on separate article where this post will be updated with links in the future.