When my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 started acting up the same day I unlocked it to leave my AT&T plan, I couldn’t help but feel suspicious. The phone folds out just fine—it’s undamaged and in near-perfect condition. But the UI/UX became practically unusable when unfolded. Zero issues before unlocking it, and suddenly, it’s a mess. Was it a coincidence? Maybe. But it’s hard not to wonder if this was a subtle reminder of who really holds the power: the corporations.
And if something this small feels so intentional, what does that mean for the bigger systems we rely on?
The Phone Issue: A Warning Sign?
Let’s be clear—I’m not saying this was deliberate. But it’s hard to ignore the timing. I paid off my phone. I unlocked it. By all accounts, it’s mine. Yet, the moment I tried to exercise my freedom to leave my carrier, the experience degraded. It’s as if the system was reminding me: You may own the device, but we control how it works.
This isn’t just about a phone. It’s about the broader trend of corporations retaining control over the things we supposedly own. From smartphones to smart homes, from streaming services to self-driving cars, we’re increasingly at the mercy of companies that can—intentionally or not—dictate how our devices function.
The Bigger Picture: What If This Happened on a Larger Scale?
Imagine if this kind of control extended to more critical systems. What if:
A self-driving car suddenly stopped working because you switched providers?
Your smart home locked you out because of a subscription dispute?
A medical device malfunctioned because of a corporate decision?
These scenarios might sound extreme, but they’re not impossible. As technology becomes more integrated into our lives, the potential for misuse—intentional or accidental—grows. And my phone issue feels like a small-scale preview of what could happen if we don’t push back against corporate overreach.
Why This Matters
This isn’t about fearmongering. It’s about awareness. My Galaxy Z Fold 3 mishap was minor, but it highlighted a much bigger problem: we don’t truly own or control the technology we buy. Corporations can push updates, lock features, or degrade performance, often without our consent. And as we move toward a more connected and autonomous future, the stakes will only get higher.
Final Thoughts
My phone issue might have been a coincidence. Or it might have been a subtle reminder of the power corporations wield over our lives. Either way, it’s a wake-up call. As consumers, we need to demand transparency, accountability, and real ownership over the technology we use. And as a society, we need to think carefully about how much control we’re willing to hand over to corporations.
Because if we don’t, the dystopian future we fear might not be so far away.
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#Cops Are Buying Your #SocialMedia #LocationData Without A #Warrant, Here’s How To Stop Them.
https://futurism.com/cops-buying-social-media-location-data-without-warrant/
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