“at the dawn of the internet age people thought it would usher in the long-promised age of democratic tranquility and equality.”
I for one, do not remember any such sentiment. What I do remember is the deep concern people had for their privacy, even before they bought their first Windows PC.
The more optimistic trope was popular on campus.
How many people encrypt their email? How many people made sure from Day One to use a VPN or similar?
And those now who use VPNs are probably more concerned about getting media not available in their part of the world.
The public has spoken: we don't give a damn about our privacy.