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Comment by troupo | Hacker News Reader

> However, a lot of people in the EU may start caring if they can no longer buy what they want just because of the vocal few, and they may stop being silent about it when it touches them.

And what exactly will people not buy because of activists?

Here's however, the counterexample of "companies are so good for customers why do activists try to ruin a good thing": https://mastodon.nu/@mentese@mastodon.world/1141937468220224...

--- start quote ---

I’ve been an owner of Volvo’s like since I can afford to buy my own cars. Nowadays the full Volvo experience can only be achieved with a Google Account and log-in.

For me it was the end of Volvo’s in my garage and I switched brands.

--- end quote ---

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> And what exactly will people not buy because of activists?

I think that was my reply to a post about Apple exiting the EU market (completely unlikely IMO, since that would reduce profits), which may cause those unable to buy what they want to question the sensibility of specific regulation.

> "companies are so good for customers why do activists try to ruin a good thing"

I don't think anyone said that. But enacting regulation forcing Volvo to give you a full experience without Google Account login is just acting a step too late if you already bought it, or taking a step too far if you'd like to buy it but don't like it enough, and are now demanding they change it.

> . But enacting regulation forcing Volvo to give you a full experience without Google Account login is just acting a step too late if you already bought it, or taking a step too far if you'd like to buy it but don't like it enough, and are now demanding they change it.

Translation: no one should demand sensible things from companies ever. Because it's either too late, or too far.

How has the world, especially the tech world, become so enamoured with corporations, walled gardens, and the idea that nothing done by any corporation can ever be challenged?

> Translation: no one should demand sensible things from companies ever. Because it's either too late, or too far.

Are you trying to make a career of misunderstanding my replies? Or am I just really that bad at writing?

_People_, potential buyers, are _supposed_ to demand sensible things from companies. By voting with their money. Does that not work anymore?

> Are you trying to make a career of misunderstanding my replies? Or am I just really that bad at writing?

No, I'm just looking past the florid language. You've literally said that regulation is useless because it's either too late or too far.

There's probably some fantastical perfect moment when regulation is just right, but it will never come because there will always be people for whom regulation is either too late, or too far.

> _People_, potential buyers, are _supposed_ to demand sensible things from companies. By voting with their money. Does that not work anymore?

It has never worked. At least not to the extent people pretend it's working.

No, what I said is that were I to be interested in buying a Volvo, I would've gone to the dealership to see it, and upon finding out that some functionality is available only if I login with my Google account, would tell the dealer that that's a dealbreaker and walk out.

If the car market is such that all car manufacturers are in a way colluding with Google to require such login, that's different and should already be regulated (if not, regulate). But if another manufacturer will sell me what I want, I fail to see the issue for me as a consumer.

But, I'm not against regulation per se (as you've accused me of), so I'm not ready to die on this hill :) You may be right after all.

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