If you live in Mississippi, you may have noticed that you are no longer able to log into your Bluesky or Dreamwidth accounts from within the state. That’s because, in a chilling early warning sign for the U.S., both social platforms decided to block all users in Mississippi from their services rather than risk hefty fines under the state’s oppressive age verification mandate.

This consolidation of power is a dream come true for the Big Tech platforms, but it’s a nightmare for users. While the megacorporations get more traffic and a whole lot more user data (read: profit), users are left with far fewer community options and a bland, corporate surveillance machine instead of a vibrant public sphere. The internet we all fell in love with is a diverse and colorful place, full of innovation, connection, and unique opportunities for self-expression. That internet—our internet—is worth defending.

  • oce 🐆@jlai.luEnglish
    4·
    20 hours ago

    What if the platform you use with your relatives suddenly requires this?

    • 1984@lemmy.todayEnglish
      121·
      20 hours ago

      I will stop using it of course. There is a price to pay for not being affected by this. Its not going to be free.

    • Railcar8095@lemmy.worldEnglish
      7·
      20 hours ago

      I personally don’t use Instagram already, no need to wait for age verification.

      WhatsApp is the one I can’t skip yet, but it they force this shit I’m out.

      • oce 🐆@jlai.luEnglish
        31·
        19 hours ago

        Yeah, that’s the one I am fearing, the enshitification of Whatsapp, I think it already happened in some countries.

        • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          4·
          18 hours ago

          I’ve never used WhatsApp and never will. My friends and family can contact me through a number of other ways, and I’m introverted enough that it won’t bother me too much if they don’t.