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Big brother is here, and his name is Facebook

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Re: Big brother is here, and his name is Facebook

#11

Post by jessewmc »

wonder_er wrote: post #8

I can't quite believe the argument that Facebook is Big Brother, because the first suggestion the author suggests is "stop using Facebook". In 1984, I believe the most compelling attribute of "Big Brother" was that he/it could not be willfully turned off. So, for this to be an appropriate analogy, Facebook would need to be able to legally compel you to have the app on your phone, and if you illegally removed the app/…

Would you not consider shadow profiles a form of imprisonment? Perhaps not quite as strong as voluntarily giving heaps of information, but still a rich source of data on people who do not use Facebook.

Re: Big brother is here, and his name is Facebook

#14

Post by smokeyj »

wonder_er wrote: post #8

I can't quite believe the argument that Facebook is Big Brother, because the first suggestion the author suggests is "stop using Facebook". In 1984, I believe the most compelling attribute of "Big Brother" was that he/it could not be willfully turned off. So, for this to be an appropriate analogy, Facebook would need to be able to legally compel you to have the app on your phone, and if you illegally removed the app/…

You think you can turn off FB? Guess you haven't heard of shadow profiles.

Wasn't the CIA an early investor in FB? Yeah, give it some time ;)

Re: Big brother is here, and his name is Facebook

#15

Post by megous »

cisanti wrote: post #4

The authoritarian regimes' secret police would be delighted at something like this. People actually (well, not all of us) give them information themselves, and those who don't, sure do get tracked across the web. "Thoughts control" is very much a real problem, as the Google Memo scandal showed us. People dug out the irrelevant donation of Brendan Eich. Think about the power FB has, they know exactly who is the enemy…

They are delighted. People are being locked up based on content of their social accounts for years. Regime doesn't even need to get cooperation from the social networks themselves that much. They take your phone, make you unlock it and the off with you to a prison.

One such example being Turkey.

Re: Big brother is here, and his name is Facebook

#16

Post by rdtsc »

wonder_er wrote: post #8

I can't quite believe the argument that Facebook is Big Brother, because the first suggestion the author suggests is "stop using Facebook". In 1984, I believe the most compelling attribute of "Big Brother" was that he/it could not be willfully turned off. So, for this to be an appropriate analogy, Facebook would need to be able to legally compel you to have the app on your phone, and if you illegally removed the app/…

You can't opt out completely because you are tracked anyway. They track your family, co-workers and so on

Re: Big brother is here, and his name is Facebook

#17

Post by RodericDay »

Deimorz wrote: post #9

Personally, I think Google is just as terrifying, possibly more. As an example, just take a fairly normal life situation like going out for dinner with some friends, and think about how much of it goes "through" Google: --- One of your friends sends an email to 6 others, to ask if everyone's free for dinner on Friday. 5 of the 7 people involved use gmail or a google apps address. You've never heard of the restaurant…

Don't use Google. Be a stick in the mud, and stop your friends from using Google. Get upset at them if they include you.

I basically told people if they won't contact me using tools not made by Google/Facebook, they shouldn't contact me at all. And it was fine (they installed Signal lol).

Re: Big brother is here, and his name is Facebook

#18

Post by smokeyj »

msoad wrote: post #7

I heard form someone at Facebook that they use location data to figure out who you are with. If a group of friends go to a restaurant and nobody checks in Facebook will know you are together because all of you opened one of their apps in the same time frame and location.

Ultrasonic beacons: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2017/05/using_ultraso...

Re: Big brother is here, and his name is Facebook

#19

Post by cisanti »

wonder_er wrote: post #8

I can't quite believe the argument that Facebook is Big Brother, because the first suggestion the author suggests is "stop using Facebook". In 1984, I believe the most compelling attribute of "Big Brother" was that he/it could not be willfully turned off. So, for this to be an appropriate analogy, Facebook would need to be able to legally compel you to have the app on your phone, and if you illegally removed the app/…

Sure, it's possible for a few people and the digital nomads, but try telling your teenage daughter don't use Facebook products. Heck, it's even difficult for me because of events and stuff, but for the majority of people, it has become a utility. Especially young people are sucked into it. And if not, you still get tracked everywhere on the web.

It's like telling you to dig your own internet cables. Negotiate peering and backbone if you want uncensored internet, no data caps, and no throttling. What's the matter, the internet is opt-in, have a problem? It's possible for few rich people just like living without digital products for few old farts.

Re: Big brother is here, and his name is Facebook

#20

Post by chiefalchemist »

Deimorz wrote: post #9

Personally, I think Google is just as terrifying, possibly more. As an example, just take a fairly normal life situation like going out for dinner with some friends, and think about how much of it goes "through" Google: --- One of your friends sends an email to 6 others, to ask if everyone's free for dinner on Friday. 5 of the 7 people involved use gmail or a google apps address. You've never heard of the restaurant…

Ironic isn't it. Google is a threat, but the media focuses on a random memo. Not dismissing the memo, but it pales in comparison to Google's larger scope.
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