How do I know if my digital rights are actually being violated online?
Most violations aren't dramatic. They're quiet—a platform changing your privacy settings without notice, your location data sold to third parties, your attention harvested by algorithmic feeds designed to keep you scrolling past midnight. The violation isn't always the data itself; it's the absence of choice. Laozi spoke of wu wei, non-forcing action—true digital rights mean you're not forced. Start noticing: Did you actually consent, or did you just click 'agree'? Are you choosing your time online, or is the algorithm choosing for you? Does the platform let you see how your data moves? The violation lives in that gap between what you think is happening and what actually is. Keep a small journal for a week—log when you feel surprised by what a platform knew about you, when you couldn't find privacy settings, when you felt your attention stolen. These aren't paranoia; they're data points. They're your lived experience speaking. The examined digital life begins with simple noticing.