Great idea. Does it work as a VPN? I always run into the problems with those:
1. You can only run one VPN at a time 2. My banking apps detect when there's a VPN active and won't run
Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels
11–20 of 322 posts
Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels
#12I just can't authorize an app to have full control on my phone if it's not open-source. What guarantee do I have that you are not selling all my user data?
I understand the position, but I think that's a silly concern here. This is an app that stops you from using social media features that absolutely farm every bit of data out of you they possibly can. Feels a bit like being afraid to install a smart lock on your front door, so instead you leave it unlocked all the time.
Social media apps don't have the same level of permission to detect scrolling even when they aren't being used. This app does have that higher level of control (accessibility service) and so should be subject to more scrutiny.
Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels
#13I just can't authorize an app to have full control on my phone if it's not open-source. What guarantee do I have that you are not selling all my user data?
I understand the position, but I think that's a silly concern here. This is an app that stops you from using social media features that absolutely farm every bit of data out of you they possibly can. Feels a bit like being afraid to install a smart lock on your front door, so instead you leave it unlocked all the time.
I got locked into my (100+ y/o) house due to a smart lock soon after purchase. It got promptly removed. I'd much rather leave the door unlocked.
Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels
#14Shameless plug: I wrote a user script a while ago that removes everything from the Instagram explore tab when using Instagram in the browser. Confirmed to work on iOS Safari. Requires an app to handle user scripts (e.g. "Userscripts" by Justin Wasack).
https://gist.github.com/jkbe/f362514f99765ac7a9dc343acfe6918...
Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels
#15More power to you, but I don't understand the psychology of this kind of thing. If I have enough willpower to block a feature why not just use that will power to shut off the app after a while? I understand you're saying it's addictive, but if I were addicted to something then I'm going to be inclined to just remove the blocker.
Anyway, this isn't a critique of your work, just my personal perspective.
Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels
#16If this works as you say in iOS you would be my new hero! Joined the wait list, would be happy to be part of any test you like to run.
Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is a bad take, as much as I don't use social media at this point, people need access to good tools to curb use, and in this case, "good" means "open."
Can you elaborate why? It sounds like we agree to me. People need access to good tools to curb use, and all else equal, open is definitely better than closed. I just am saying that I'd rather have an effective closed tool than no tool at all
It does sound like we agree, but my main issue is the further shifting of the (for lack of a better word) overton window around when closed software is acceptable.
For all its flaws (and despite my general ire towards them), the FSF has done one thing really well over the years, and that's keep the conversation alive around open-source software (which, in turn, has landed us at what I consider to be a really good compromise of a ton of high-quality source-available software).
The FSF isn't pulling as hard as it used to for a variety of reasons, but I think it's important to keep the pressure on and in cases like this, it's really easy to take the stance that at least source-availability shouldn't be compromised on, since the app presumably needs very broad permissions and capabilities from the OS.
Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels
#18I just can't authorize an app to have full control on my phone if it's not open-source. What guarantee do I have that you are not selling all my user data?
DigiPaws has the headlining feature of the app advertised here, and is open source. https://github.com/nethical6/digipaws
Not that I suspect maliciousness in the case of digipaws or OP, but does the app's code being open-source actually guarantee any security? Is there anything forcing the app I download to be consistent with the repo on Github?
Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels
#19More power to you, but I don't understand the psychology of this kind of thing. If I have enough willpower to block a feature why not just use that will power to shut off the app after a while? I understand you're saying it's addictive, but if I were addicted to something then I'm going to be inclined to just remove the blocker. Anyway, this isn't a critique of your work, just my personal perspective.
this is like putting a wall in front of, or just beyond the edge of, the slippery slope. the need to make an intentional choice or pause before doing the "getting stuck scrolling" behavior is an opportunity for you to catch yourself and see if that's what you really want.
the platform is designed to capitalize on your slip ups in willpower. you can have great impulse control, but can you have it tirelessly, around the clock? this thing is lurking until you slip, as long as you're on it. attention capture is the goal.
Re: Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels
#20More power to you, but I don't understand the psychology of this kind of thing. If I have enough willpower to block a feature why not just use that will power to shut off the app after a while? I understand you're saying it's addictive, but if I were addicted to something then I'm going to be inclined to just remove the blocker. Anyway, this isn't a critique of your work, just my personal perspective.
Been using YouTube recommendation blockers for a while. Personally I’ve never gone, “oh man I could go for some binge watching!” as much as something piques my interest and I get drawn down video after video of nothing. So removing any sort of advert for a video means it never even crosses my mind to turn off the blocker.