Amazon recently updated its purchasing terms for Kindle e-books in the United States, making it clear that customers are acquiring a license to the content, not ownership. The revised statement now states, “By placing your order, you’re purchasing a license to the content and agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.” While this change is specific to U.S. customers, the message remains the same for international users: you are merely granted permission to use the content, not own it.
Effective February 26, 2025, Amazon will be discontinuing the “Download & Transfer via USB” feature for Kindle devices. This means that users will no longer be able to download Kindle books directly to their computers for manual transfer. Instead, access to purchased content will be dependent on Amazon’s cloud infrastructure. This update highlights a fundamental truth about ownership and underscores the fact that true ownership is not established if someone else has the ability to revoke access.
This shift in ownership is not unique to Amazon but is reflective of the broader digital landscape. In today’s digital era, the concept of ownership has become increasingly complex. For example, your favorite songs and albums on a streaming app can only be accessed with an internet connection, and there are limitations on the number of devices you can listen from. The days of owning physical records, tapes, and CDs, where you had the freedom to listen as you pleased, resell, or share with others, are long gone.
So, what does it truly mean to own something in the digital age? Ownership is commonly understood as the act or state of possessing something. However, in the digital realm, mere possession does not equate to ownership if that possession can be altered or taken away at any time. According to Oxford, ownership is defined as “The exclusive right to use, possess, and dispose of property.” Therefore, true ownership requires exclusivity.
When it comes to intangible digital assets such as money or identity, the concept of ownership becomes even more nuanced. While you may possess your name or handle on social media or email, that possession can be revoked by the platform at any time. Similarly, the money in your bank account may be legally yours, but banks have the authority to freeze accounts, and governments can seize funds. In these instances, possession does not guarantee true ownership.
Encryption plays a crucial role in establishing true digital ownership by removing the reliance on physical coercion and violence. By utilizing encryption, individuals can protect their digital assets and ensure that only they have the power to access and manage them. Encryption not only safeguards digital ownership but also reshapes the dynamics of power by rendering force ineffective.
Digital signing in encrypted systems serves as a means to prove ownership and control in the digital realm. Platforms like PGP and Nostr enable users to sign messages and files, verifying their authenticity and preventing tampering. Bitcoin exemplifies the principle of true ownership, as controlling one’s private keys grants full control over one’s funds without the risk of external interference.
The axiom “Not your keys, not your coins” in the Bitcoin community emphasizes the importance of controlling one’s private keys to assert true ownership over digital assets. By holding your own keys, you retain full control over your money, identity, and property, free from the risk of account freezes, limitations, or seizures.
The transition from physical to digital ownership has made access more convenient but has also blurred the lines of true ownership. In a digital age where possession alone is not sufficient to establish ownership, encryption emerges as a crucial tool for enforcing true ownership. To truly own something in the digital realm, the key is simple: control your keys, or relinquish ownership to someone else.
This article was contributed by Will Jager. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
This post on ownership in the digital age originally appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and was authored by Will Jager.