Yes, any of these tools must be permissionless and neutral, otherwise it defeats the point of doing any of this. If some centralized power can choose who or who can't use Bitcoin, then it will be abused and biased like anything else. And often the people controlling it are some of the worst to begin with. Think of the ring of power from LOTR. That power eventually corrupts any who wield it even if they start with good intentions.

From the bitcoin white paper: "the main benefits are lost if a trusted third party is still required..."

Appreciate it. I don't have LN, but if you want here is my Monero address:

86VVQzMJ9FGGkPcpNC8YXLHLiADQXXRZg7sfbjjsscHfQdU3wDWDhY6UtHApNUGbzmQoAtQZS62QBdnvjBCv9UvaQwbM73n