An individual doesn't have an obligation. A government does have an obligation, according to western values.
Large corporations, operating at a scale much closer to that of governments than to that of individuals, have been shoehorning themselves into our allowances for individuals to avoid having any sort of public processes or accountability. As we've seen with the evolution of governments, ultimately this will not stand.
Large corporations, operating at a scale much closer to that of governments
Excellent point-- as a company's market penetration (at least in some cases) approaches a significant part of the population, the difference between government (in the sense of a public service) and private company becomes less and less distinguishable for the power held over customers.
Not unlike the situation that occured with Bell Telephone where it became such an essential part of day to day life for most people that the control it had was on par with being a branch of the US government itself. It was a shame about Bell Labs though. They still did some good work after the breakup but that whole organization just seemed to fade away from its former glory. Though maybe they'll eventually flourish again under Nokia.
Large corporations, operating at a scale much closer to that of governments than to that of individuals, have been shoehorning themselves into our allowances for individuals to avoid having any sort of public processes or accountability. As we've seen with the evolution of governments, ultimately this will not stand.