On: Facebook has sent a cease-and-desist letter to res...

[scbrg]

I admit I use some Google services. At the same time, I have no relationship with the non G:s of FAANG, which arguably is 80% of them (though perhaps not 80% of the influence). I'm not sure how they can really be considered public utilities at that point. None of the services they provide are essential.

[strawberrypuree → scbrg]

Much of the web is hosted on AWS. So, you have an invisible relationship with Amazon. Same with Facebook and their trackers, unless you block them.

[scbrg → strawberrypuree]

> Much of the web is hosted on AWS.

Fair enough. I'm sure I use some web sites that are hosted on AWS, I did not consider that.

> Same with Facebook and their trackers, unless you block them.

That may be (though I block at least some of them), but that's hardly equivalent. I don't depend in any way on Facebook tracking me. If they stopped, I would certainly not suffer from it.

[stale2002 → scbrg]

> None of the services they provide are essential.

I use online messaging and online communication more than I use the telephone network.

To me, and many others, these online platforms are as or more essential than the phone system, which is already covered by common carrier laws.

[Natanael_L → stale2002]

Utility regulation doesn't depend only on importance. It depends on importance plus access.

That's why your local grocery store can ban you even if food is necessary for your survival, because you didn't lose access to other sources (stores).

[root_axis → stale2002]

> I use online messaging and online communication more than I use the telephone network.

That's your choice, you don't have to use any particular online messaging service. My cousins communicate over steam more than over SMS, that doesn't mean steam is a utility.