Always be skeptical of any organization that calls itself a “consumer group.” Rarely does one of these collections of the discontented and envious actually represent consumers’ best interests.
Consider the Consumer Project on Technology. It’s a nasty collection of groups in the U.S. and Europe that is trying to pass itself off as a consumer advocate.
But few—if any—of these groups, whether they are a part of the CPT or not, are actually interested in consumers. Their raison d’etre is to take down corporations—especially those “multinationals” that they are so fond of demonizing.
Many consumer groups typically despair of a world where property rights, both real and intellectual, are protected. It doesn’t fit their vision of a global commune—a free culture society.
Rather, they insist that “information wants to be free.” They are uneasy when private entities are allowed to invest in, research, develop and then own their innovations, whether they are lifesaving medications, software or over-the-edge technology that improves lives around the world.
The CPT in particular has consistently waged war against capitalism, free enterprise and private property, especially in the tech realm. This is the group that has agitated for the de facto nationalization of Microsoft, one of history’s most successful private endeavors, a company that has provided immeasurable benefits to the public. In CPT’s view, the company has enjoyed too much success and should be punished for it.
If the CPT and its Naderite brethren had their way, they would wreck the economy. Their hostility toward free and voluntary commercial exchange kills the incentives that make the economy grow. Without the motivating factors that are part of free enterprise, innovation and entrepreneurship grind to a halt.
Indeed, the group—and its mission—might better be dubbed the Consumer Project to Stop Technology.