The top comment on the reddit thread about this puts this into perspective: At first I was wondering if this would lead to a rise in VPN usage in Uganda, but there aren't too many VPNs out there...
that's 5 USD cents, or almost 200 Ugandan Shillings. The GDP per capita in Uganda is $662 USD/year. This tax of $18.25/year represents almost 3% of the GDP per capita. The minimum wage in Uganda is $95 a year
At first I was wondering if this would lead to a rise in VPN usage in Uganda, but there aren't too many VPNs out there cheaper than this. Sounds like this will prevent a large portion of the population from being able to access info and communicate with the outside world.
I've gotta wonder how or even if they're going to try and spin this as something necessary or positive. Or how they plan to explain how the funds are to be used. I know when my government increases the price of cigarettes, I've got a pretty good assurance that money is being used for healthcare, to offset the damage caused by cigarettes. When they say “to cope with the consequences" in the article, I've got to wonder what sort of "concequences" come with social media, and why you need a bunch of money to "deal with it".
I see what you were going for, but is it fair to compare the median US salary to the Ugandan minimum wage? Shouldn't it be US minimum wage to Ugandan minimum wage?
I see what you were going for, but is it fair to compare the median US salary to the Ugandan minimum wage? Shouldn't it be US minimum wage to Ugandan minimum wage?
The top comment on the reddit thread about this puts this into perspective:
At first I was wondering if this would lead to a rise in VPN usage in Uganda, but there aren't too many VPNs out there cheaper than this. Sounds like this will prevent a large portion of the population from being able to access info and communicate with the outside world.
I've gotta wonder how or even if they're going to try and spin this as something necessary or positive. Or how they plan to explain how the funds are to be used. I know when my government increases the price of cigarettes, I've got a pretty good assurance that money is being used for healthcare, to offset the damage caused by cigarettes. When they say “to cope with the consequences" in the article, I've got to wonder what sort of "concequences" come with social media, and why you need a bunch of money to "deal with it".
I see what you were going for, but is it fair to compare the median US salary to the Ugandan minimum wage? Shouldn't it be US minimum wage to Ugandan minimum wage?
Surely it is more about filling the pockets of those in power, rather than any useful remedy to the ills of social media.
you could just use a free vpn?
I guess you could if you don't value your privacy.