Last week, X was blocked in Brazil, and a fine of $8,000/day was imposed on those caught using a VPN to access it.
And to be completely honest, I think people are far too permissive and complicit when it comes to censorship and the violation of basic freedoms. And that’s not even counting those who actively support these measures, which is beyond my comprehension.
I understand that the life of an entrepreneur demands focus and pragmatism. I really do. But in the face of an autocratic state, avoiding the problem only delays the inevitable, especially if you work with technology and innovation.
Millions of Brazilian entrepreneurs who have large audiences on Twitter saw their investments and strategies disappear overnight with a single stroke of a pen. Suddenly, that political issue you didn’t want to get involved in hit you hard.
I’d like to believe this is an exception, a detour that will soon correct itself. However, the last few decades have shown a strong trend toward anti-liberty and a systemic erosion of institutions in the West.
Europe, the United States, and much of Latin America have been slowly but steadily violating basic human rights. Systematic attacks on the crypto industry, social media, biotech, and AI will continue. And eventually, it will reach your industry too, directly or indirectly.
This is the time to recognize that civil society, private enterprise, government, and social structures are interconnected and interdependent. If one of these agents becomes excessively predatory, the network sustainability is compromised.
It’s impossible to protect yourself from systemic risks like the decline of democratic institutions. History has shown us this situation countless times.
We are living in a transitional moment that will define the next centuries. We have the most powerful technologies in human history in our hands. It’s up to us to use them to build native digital institutions that are far more resilient, transparent, inclusive, and just.
And if you’re a founder and leader, you have an opportunity to make a significant difference.
