I watched a short clip of a guy the other day who was talking about human rights and freedom in the United States. He said something that stuck in my mind. He said that your freedom to say or do what you want to depends on how insignificant you are. Think about that for a second. If you are insignificant and don't matter, and you aren't bothering those in power who don't want to be bothered, you have the freedom to do what you want. If you grow an audience that listens to you, you only have an illusion of freedom and you can no longer say or do what you want without consequences.

Any business is run under the same illusion. If it's not bothering those in power, they let it be. If it becomes powerful itself or starts pointing to the wrongdoings of others, action is taken to stop it or minimize its influence.