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.

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?

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).

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.

Please remember here that all is in a form political, it is the essential point of politics to be part of the living of human beings and their deeds. But the outgrow of complexity, the on-going ignorance on the one side and the missing on the other side leaves more beings helpless or even become victims of those so-called “progress”. We call this false form of being progressive as it clearly to see that we have no further gain for democracy, even the opposite.

The argument that mobile devices (smartphones) and the common repositories restricted to them (app stores) are “standard” and therefore do not pose a problem is increasingly being used. This ignores the fact that there are many people who do not have such devices for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons, such as age, may decrease in the future. But various reasons could become even more important. These include financial factors, the fact that victims of digital violence turn away from technology (temporarily or permanently), or the conscious decision not to carry a all inclusive “pocket spy” around with them all the time. Mobile devices with alternative operating-systems are also not uncommon and are usually not compatible with commercialized programs / applications. Ultimately, the excuse that you only work with the “standard” repository (app store) also undermines innovation and the form of progress we have in mind at Hyperbola also: Technical emancipation for all people, so they are able to evaluate their usage, their soft- and hardware, modify and develop, even create new forms on their own will.