The problem with a boycott of that kind is that it would take too long to have consequences feeled by the general public. It’s not like we could block roads and disrupt public transportation. While the whole world is relied on computers a very small percentage of everyday work is mission critical to need a constant maintenance and care by developers. From the other hand it could hurt businesses which isn’t our goal since most of these guys are probably already on our side.
We should find something more targeted that could have a greater impact in a shorter timeframe.
I think they'd notice quite quickly if the whole of Google went offline for a week or so. Like literally, no search, no gmail, no maps, no anything. Now imagine if other large companies did the same, like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, etc. Heck, want to make a real effect? Have a boycott which takes AWS offline for a few weeks, including everything hosted on it.
The consequences would become clear soon enough. Bonus points if the White House and Houses of Parliament sites were taken offline with it.
Sure, but as I said in my parent comment in such a case we're hurting corporations. Why would we want to do that? Google isn't our enemy here, they're probably in the same boat as we're. Of course they could willingly participate which would be a game-changer but I seriously doubt they'd go in such extreme measures because it could alienate them in the eyes of the state.
>Google isn't our enemy here, they're probably in the same boat as we're.
Google is the enemy. Like Apple, they're a PRISM participant, and while that doesn't necessarily mean they offer "direct and open access to all user data" like some believe, it still means they willingly collaborate with the NSA, because they're required and obligated to do so under the law. Any company subject to US law is also subject to NSLs, with which they can be forced to act as covert agents for the NSA.
We're all in the same boat, but that's because the enemy is us. The entirety of the United States' IT and electronics industries is the enemy, here, and the victim.
There is too much money & shareholder interest tied up in those companies for that to happen. You can't just shut down a money machine unless shareholders approve or you can show why this is the best thing for your shareholders and you're acting responsibly. I think you'd have trouble proving these things because this is a polarizing topic. If you ask most people outside of tech circles they don't really care that much.
We should find something more targeted that could have a greater impact in a shorter timeframe.