As someone from the tumblr generation I morn the loss of the word “problematic” - which before being a thought termination device - allowed nuance in discussion. Expansion of state tools & deregulation of protections in order to make progress feels “problematic” - but must be wrestled with.
With all of the data breaches, weaponization of tax information we told people wouldn’t be used by ice, or harmful Data centers popping up and poisoning the communities they are supposed to employ - there is a rational fear that government engagement will end with bad actors abusing those tools.
There are two stages to regulating technology. "It's too new, it's too important, it does too much good, you can't stifle it" and "It's too late, the toothpaste is out of the tube, genie escaped the bottle, we'll have to learn to live with it". There are no other stages.
We need regulations at all Of those stages - especially from technology that is a result of tax payer investment.
But we must not ignore all the good we’ve done with these programs, the lives saved, the children fed, the businesses started. We just have to make sure that our next steps include tool development with guardrails.