> What if we had regulations to force service providers to provide APIs and interoperability in their services? What if messaging someone on Facebook from Google hangouts was as easy as sending an email?

Exactly, the kind of regulation that would promote real competition than silos of shitware built on network effects.

API Enforcement, Net neutrality, Transparency, Free software enforcement, Copy left and privacy regulation are pro-consumer, pro-user, pro-individual and anti-authoritarian. These are the regulations that would promote freedom instead of standing in the way or worse grab the notion of freedom completely.

Stallman has been preaching about it for ages. It is sad that people who fight for regulation don't have faith on the individual, or want to provide the tools for betterment of the individual (a centrally controlled internet with official version of the truth is never the answer).

One point I do lean in on the pro-regulatory side of things. The platforms showing automated feeds/suggestions have to share the same culpability as individual doing it. i.e. If a goverment deems an individual can't do X, or has to pay Y in damages, then a platform promoting the video actively (hosting it without a searchable link is fine) through automated feeds is culpable of sharing it.

I am not promoting govt regulation, but just saying companies should not be treated as exceptions.