Replacement of physical stores with internet sales is bad for people’s rights (Maplin seeks buyer, 20 February), because internet sales track people; they don’t allow privacy-respecting cash.It’s bad for the Treasury because the internet giants such as Amazon avoid taxes, and because jobs disappear. It is bad for society because it means fewer jobs. This suggests solving both problems with a substantial tax on internet sales.
Richard Stallman
President, Free Software Foundation, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters
