When browsing the internet, typically you imagine that you are choosing what you decide to view or download, but what if that’s not the case?
The recent dominance of closed internet and technological services demonstrates how we operate inside a ‘Walled Garden’. This means that the user is only allowed to partake in activities that are allowed within the service. The feudalisation of technology represents a highly centralised and hierarchical system that focuses on a system of hereditary power by corporations. The trade-off is freedom of access.
One very prominent example of a Walled Garden system is the way Apple conducts business with consumers.
When individuals purchase one of the many ‘i-products’ there is a silent understanding between the user and the producer that these are tethered devices. These are so called as the device and the user will be constantly tied to the service – like a leash from the producer to the consumer.
Photo: Free Software foundation
This is achieved through the syncing and strict control of content and file types available, and according to Jonathan Zittrain, ‘They are tethered because it is easy for their vendors to change them from afar’. He further explains that these types of devices are coded in a way so that they can’t be changed by external parties.
Think of the way an iPhone works – when purchased, you have to create an iTunes user account after downloading iTunes to get the thing to work. Subsequently any content you want to put on the phone supremely has to be run through the iTunes service. Downloading of music, videos or apps is all done in an exclusive location that is only accessibly if you have apple technology.
So why do we buy them? Why does almost every person have an iPhone?
Because they’re ‘safe’, easy to use and everyone else has one. Apple has been successful in cultivating a privileged, specialised service, but should we let these types of companies consolidate our technological environment or fight for open source rights?
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For a more comprehensive look into walled gardens and what they mean for us, view this article by Charles Arthur.
LeeAnneWalker 