„We’ve come a long way, Baby“
Interview with Peter Sunde Kolmisoppi (PDF)
Who rules the world?
I wish it were society, through the democratic right to vote. But I think that the original idea of how democracy is supposed to function is a bit outdated and that a majority-based decision isn't always the best option. And to deal with these "defects" in the democratic system, we've developed other defective systems – lobbying, for instance! This has certainly given rise to undemocratic conditions that don't represent the wishes of the people. My view is that, in principle, the people rule the world, but in actual fact it's often those with the most money that do so. Power comes with money. And power should be met with respect, not with an ego trip.
Who holds the reins of power in the Internet?
The Internet has always been about decentralisation and democratisation. But the fact is that we rely too much on service providers such as the DNS system (which converts a domain name into an IP address). It could also be claimed that it's due to users' laziness that we entrust all services to one provider. This undermines a system like the Internet. Everything was working well until recently, when governments began to appropriate these central providers' data. This makes me rather afraid. But we have the possibility and also the power to free ourselves from these providers and to ensure that legal rulings in the different countries are more rigorous in their respect for data protection.
How have these central providers acquired their power? How do they hold on to it?
Most of then receive enormous financial support. The technological progress this generated has made it impossible for competitors to keep up with them. Google is a case in point. The founders built up their entire business around a free offer that surpassed all others – because they had pumped so much money into technological development. Then, having secured their technological edge, they went on to conquer other markets in the digital world, and now we've reached a point where it's become impossible for smaller providers to keep pace with Google.
Will there be a shift in power?
I think we're stuck with the present situation. But let's be optimistic: people like those in "leaking" circles enable us to catch a glimpse of what our opponents and also the politicians who rule us are getting up to behind the scenes. We can check whether they're doing their job.
Where would you tackle the system if you wanted to overturn it?
I would try to shift legal practice to the side of Internet users. At the present time, legislators tend – all over the world, by the way – to favour corporations, business. But money isn't the most important thing in life, people (and animals!) are. We should fight for our rights. We need something like the Human Rights Charter, but for information – that would do the trick.
Can you describe a personal moment in which you felt powerless?
The Swedish legal system makes me feel powerless. It's turned out to be much more corrupt than I could ever have imagined – I'm appalled by it. I always had a high opinion of Scandinavian humanity and its democratic ideals. I was obliged to change this opinion, and that makes me feel sad and powerless.
Can you describe a moment in which you felt powerful?
Probably when the Swedish electorate voted the Pirate Party into the European Parliament. I don't vote for it myself, nor am I a member, but I see it as part of what I've always fought for. Whenever I'm reminded that this party now has two members of parliament, I have to think of Fat Boy Slim's song: "We’ve come a long way, baby"