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Digitization compulsion and enforcement

By definition, digitized processes are better suited for working with modern computers than analogous and therefore have advantages, common said. Within this article we want to explain Hyperbola's stance about enforced digitization and why we have no interest to enforce so-called “marketable” or “standardized” packages within our system and project. We also use this article to define why we think that those on-going integration and enforcement of digital services is weakening our global society by adding multiplicators for hatred and harassment, in the end also promote purest forms of classism and therefore undermine democratic values in their roots and basics.

What is "enforced digitization"?

Digital enforcement is to be seen when there is no analogue or data protection-friendly alternative to a provided service, even though it would be feasible. In the current definition there are following layers:

  1. Digitalisation pressure: There is no analogue alternative anymore existing. Without a computing device you are excluded from public life.
  2. Compulsion for programs / applications: You need a program / application that can only be installed under certain conditions (ownership of a mobile device, choice of operating system, access to places where the concurrent program / application is stored, trackers, generic data access).
  3. Requirement of an account: You can only use a service when you create an account and provide personal information. This also applies if such an account is required to install a certain application.
  4. Data disclosure requirement: A service is only available when you agree to accept monitoring technologies such as trackers and cookies.

In principle, the greater the disadvantage you face compared to the digital solution, the greater the need to go digital - especially when it comes to participating in public life. In particular, services in the area of ​​government and basic services must always include an analogue alternative.

So ask yourself: Do you really want to install a program or is somebody demanding this as otherwise you cannot use a service offered? Do you really need to upgrade your operating-system out of your own motivation and will or is somebody enforcing the update and is not offering you insights why and what is done and in need for an upgrade?

Digital compulsion exists when:
  • the service could technically be implemented in analog form, but is not offered.
  • it is not an extra service and not using it would limit participation in public life, particularly with regard to state services and basic services.
  • an existing analog alternative is so unattractive that it is effectively out of the question.

Please do not let yourself be misguided: Yes, upgrades and fixes for software is important. But the on-going integration of external and remote services is not and this is not only limited to one special kind of system nowadays. The whole sphere of computing is crossed with such enforced integration. There is even hard- and software existing no longer working without any connection towards the global network (internet).

Differentiation - What is digital compulsion and what is not?

If a certain service can only be offered in this form for technical reasons, one cannot speak of digital compulsion. For example, an account (bank account) is of course necessary for online banking, but not any other service-account. Therefore, one can only speak of digital compulsion in the second case. As long as analogue access to the bank account is still possible (and on an equal basis!), one can speak of neither account compulsion nor digital compulsion. However, the boundaries can be fluid as we already stated before. And that's another major issue: Missing forms of competence as the way digital services form and develop further is not equal side by side to the knowledge needed and people would also need to have for their own assessment and evaluation of that service offered.