Cory Doctorow: Unpersoned

Cory Doctorow's commentary highlights the troubling consequences of tech companies' unilateral decisions to terminate user accounts without recourse. He recounts the experiences of K. Renee, a romance writer who lost access to her Google Docs account without explanation, and Mark, a father whose account was deleted after a misunderstanding involving a medical photo. Both cases illustrate the potential for devastating impacts on individuals' lives due to the actions of large tech firms. Doctorow argues for the need for regulatory frameworks that ensure users retain their data rights and can port their information to other services, thereby preventing companies from effectively "unpersoning" users. He suggests that interoperability, as seen in the EU's Digital Markets Act, could provide a solution by allowing users to maintain access to their data and communications even if they are removed from a platform. This would shift the power from corporations to society, ensuring that decisions about user access are made democratically and with due process. Doctorow emphasizes that while companies should have the right to manage their platforms, they should not have the unchecked power to erase individuals from the digital landscape.

- Tech companies can permanently lock users out of their accounts without explanation.

- Regulatory frameworks are needed to protect user data rights and ensure interoperability.

- The Digital Markets Act in the EU promotes user data portability and communication access.

- Unilateral account termination can have severe consequences for individuals.

- Solutions should prioritize democratic accountability over corporate policies.