Amazon has recently updated its purchasing terms for Kindle e-books in the United States to make it clear that customers are acquiring a license to the content, not ownership. The revised statement now states: “By placing your order, you are purchasing a license to the content and agreeing to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.” This change only applies to U.S. customers, while international users will still see the previous wording. However, the message remains the same: You are not the owner; you are simply being granted the right to use it.
Effective February 26, 2025, Amazon will be discontinuing the “Download & Transfer via USB” feature for Kindle devices. This means users will no longer be able to download Kindle books directly to their computers for manual transfer, as access to purchased content will now be dependent on Amazon’s cloud infrastructure. This adjustment highlights a fundamental truth about ownership and reinforces a basic fact: If someone else has the power to take it away, then it is not truly yours.
This issue extends beyond just Amazon and is applicable to all digital content and materials in our modern era. Your favorite songs and albums on a streaming app, for example, require an internet connection for access. They also impose restrictions on the number of devices you can use and may include ads unless you subscribe to a premium service. Gone are the days of physical media like records, tapes, and CDs, where you had the freedom to listen as you pleased, sell, or even share with others.
What does ownership really entail? Ownership is commonly defined as the act or state of possessing something. In this context, while we may possess the content, it can be altered or revoked at any time, indicating that true ownership is not present. Oxford defines ownership as “The exclusive right to use, possess, and dispose of property,” emphasizing the necessity of exclusivity in ownership.
When it comes to intangible digital assets like money or identity, the situation is similar. You may own your name or handle on social media or email, which represents your online persona and content. However, this ownership can be jeopardized by account locks, bans, or deletions by the platform provider. The money in your bank account is another example where you have legal rights but can still face freezes or seizures by authorities, demonstrating the limitations of true ownership.
So, what does it truly mean to own something? Merely possessing an item or having legal rights is insufficient. Genuine ownership requires the ability to enforce that possession and exclusivity. In the physical realm, enforcement often relies on coercion or the threat of violence, such as eviction notices or armed security. In the digital sphere, encryption serves as a means of enforcing ownership without resorting to physical force.
Encryption not only safeguards digital ownership but also reshapes power dynamics by eliminating the need for violence. It ensures that ownership cannot be overridden by force, as strong cryptography cannot be breached through physical means. Access to encrypted assets is solely possible through consent, underscoring the significance of encryption in preserving ownership.
Digital signing within encrypted systems is a method of proving ownership and control in the digital realm. Platforms like PGP and Nostr utilize this approach to verify the authenticity and integrity of messages and identities. Bitcoin exemplifies this principle by granting individuals full control over their funds through private key management, ensuring that no external entity can seize or freeze their assets without consent.
The mantra “Not your keys, not your coins” in the Bitcoin community emphasizes the importance of controlling private keys for true ownership. By retaining control over private keys, individuals maintain authority over their money, identity, and assets, free from external interference or seizure. This shift from physical to digital ownership underscores the need for individuals to safeguard their digital assets through encryption and private key management.
The transition to a digital landscape has simplified access to content but has also blurred the lines of ownership. Merely possessing digital items does not equate to true ownership, as external entities can revoke access or seize assets. Encryption serves as a safeguard against such actions, empowering individuals to enforce their ownership through mathematical principles rather than legal or institutional frameworks.
This article was contributed by Will Jager. The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
This article on Ownership In A Digital Age: Not Your Keys, Not Your Content was originally published on Bitcoin Magazine and written by Will Jager.
