It ultimately comes down to who makes the rules and who the companies have to answer to in the end, I think. Though I must say that the article had a rather odd way of stating that, with their use of the word 'sovereignty' in this sentence:
> Governments and courts are chipping away at the sovereignty of internet firms, and public opinion is pushing them to police themselves better.
> Governments and courts are chipping away at the sovereignty of internet firms, and public opinion is pushing them to police themselves better.