Privacy concerns are a very popular and valid talking point on Lemmy, so I would like to gather your thoughts and opinions on this. (Apologies if it’s already been discussed!)
Would you support this? Would it work or even be viable? (If it could somehow overcome the rabid resistance from these big companies). What are your thoughts?
Personally, I’m getting more and more agitated at the state of this late stage global capitalism, where companies have the gall to ask you to pay or subscribe to their products, while they already make money from you for selling your data. It’s been an issue for a long time now, but seems to really be ramping up.
Consumer: I like your product. Can I use it?
Company: Sure thing! It’s free but we’re going to take your data and sell it.
Consumer: Okay!
. . . Consumer: Hey, you’re selling that data I told you you could sell as long as I can use your product for free! You should give me commission.
Me: Don’t use things that sell your data. Start by deleting the apps from your phone in favor of the web version. Make sure to decline allowing websites and services to track your usage. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start.
What should be even more concerning at the moment is the Mozilla report that came out reporting that every car company is now extracting more of your personal information than TikTok or Facebook. https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/blog/privacy-nightmare-on-wheels-every-car-brand-reviewed-by-mozilla-including-ford-volkswagen-and-toyota-flunks-privacy-test/
You act as if it is actually feasible or reasonable to choose not to uae these services, when it, in fact, would be a severe handicap in day-to-day life
Do you have an example?
try navigating along distance trip you’ve never done before without google/apple/bing maps. they don’t publish hard copy street directorys anymore where I am
For iOS,
Google Maps Third-Party Advertising:
Location: Coarse Location
Search History: Search History
Browsing History: Browsing History
Identifiers: User ID
Usage Data: Advertising Data
Other Data: Other Data Types
Apple Maps Third-Party Advertising: N/A
There’s actually a number of mapping apps that are better than Google or Apple maps. Mapquest looks pretty good.
So, it seems more so the case that you’re acting as if there are no other choices when in fact there are.
To start with, an ISP. Most of them collect user data. Many services, such as banking, are unavailable or restricted over VPN (assuming you find one that doesn’t also collect your data).
Next, a smartphone. You’re limited to iOS or android, unless you have the option to root your device (which is a hassle), and both are basically loaded with spyware.
Your debit/credit card. Many providers will collect and monetize data regarding your purchases.
Your car (if newer than about 2010) or your public transit provider.
Need I go on? Try living without just one of these things.
I’m talking about deleting the FREE Facebook app from your phone and you’re talking about PAID ISPs. You’re not wrong but you’ve changed the conversation to ignore my point…
How is deleting FREE apps from your phone and declining to allow websites to track you not a good start and how would this handicap your day-to-day life? My point is that if you’re suing something for free, you are the product. This needs to be at the forefront of people’s minds and they need to be made aware of the ramifications of choosing to use these FREE services.
Granted, I should have been more clear and said “Don’t use FREE things that sell your data”.
Yeah - there’s a lot to be concerned about. Hell yes there’s a huge concern about a PAID service also harvesting your data.
Let’s START by deleting apps off our phones because this is what we currently have the most control over and they’re the one’s harvesting the most kinds of data to sell to brokers.
Okay, for an exact example. I have a work email via microsoft 365. Because I choose to not have the outlook app installed on any of my devices I do not get notified when I have unread mail.
Thus, I need to go through the abysmal web app login several times per day (because it automatically logs me out), and click through nagging pop ups imploring me to install the app in order to confirm whether I have any pending mail.
What privacy concerns are there with the Outlook app?
I don’t know, I didn’t read the entire 174 page privacy statement. In this case, I just assume that they exist and that I do not want their app installed on my phone, especially considering the permissions it wants.