American digital rights activist Rebecca MacKinnon argues that digital communications must remain neutral and protect human rights and freedom of expression rather than assist authoritarian state power. However, the global trend shows ever-increasing government control of digital networks, both in authoritarian and democratic governments. The internet is a powerful tool that human rights activists can mobilize, but only if it remains free and detached from government restraint.She believes that, like governments, the internet is only legitimate if it is based upon the consent of the networked.