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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

#231

Post by hiq »

mattmanser wrote: post #163
mattlondon wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can go a long way to blocking a lot of these by using some alternatives: * Using DuckDuckGo ( https://duckduckgo.com/ ). It is really decent and has good desktop and mobile integration. * Using a browser like Brave ( https://www.brave.com/ ) that blocks trackers etc. Android app is superb. * Using a Maps replacement like OSM ( https://www.openstreetmap.org ) on desktop and OsmAnd on mobile ( https://play.google.c…

I've been trying to use DDG for the last 6 months. Ultimately I'd say 40% of my queries I now just force google with '!g' instead. I was quite bullish on it 6 months ago, but must admit that after 6 months, anything complex I !g straightaway.

You can at least use !s (startpage) instead.

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

#232

Post by TheSpiceIsLife »

dbrgn wrote: post #145
nytesky wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you recommend a paid email service that is reputable?

I can recommend Fastmail. No affiliation, just a happy customer. I've used Gmail for several years previously and thought I'd miss it when switching. I didn't.

I also use Fastmail. No affiliations, just a content customer.

I pay for a mobile telephone service, but email is more important to me so my convictions necessitate a paid email service from a dedicated provider with a real support team.

I also own my own domain, primarily because now my email address is short and unambiguous to say over the phone.

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

#233

Post by a_imho »

mattlondon wrote: post #112
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…

You can go a long way to blocking a lot of these by using some alternatives: * Using DuckDuckGo ( https://duckduckgo.com/ ). It is really decent and has good desktop and mobile integration. * Using a browser like Brave ( https://www.brave.com/ ) that blocks trackers etc. Android app is superb. * Using a Maps replacement like OSM ( https://www.openstreetmap.org ) on desktop and OsmAnd on mobile ( https://play.google.c…

Pay in cash

Lately I've been wondering whether I should withdraw most of my money from the bank. Any serious drawback to that approach? For one, I don't like my transactions being tracked and two, find it outrageous I have to pay various fees to use/access my money while it is used to enrich others.

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

#234

Post by mamon »

wbillingsley wrote: post #207

Twitter is more concerning, as it has connected society's social enforcers (those who are concerned with which views "have no place in our society") with media, government, employers, etc. In terms of privacy, people have never been that concerned with "who's listening" so long as the scope of use is limited (eg, security cameras in carparks are seen as a sign of safety, not espionage, and people will happily mouth o…

On the other hand, Twitter is less and less relevant, on it's way to bankruptcy.

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

#235

Post by justinclift »

AndrewKemendo wrote: post #148
fao_ wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't live in America :P

Looks like you're from Wales. Here's a great national site that you can see the live traffic cameras: http://www.traffic-wales.com/?lang=en-GB Just filter the map by CCTV and choose the icon to view the live video. Enjoy!

Seems like a single photo only for each camera, no "live"?

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

#236

Post by kalipso »

It is allways important to talk about Facebook and that its influence is growing way to far. But the suggestions in this Article are very sad. As Example: "You can also use Telegram which ensures encryption and privacy across all communications." is a Big lie. Groupchats are not Encrypted using Telegram. And for Private Encrypted Chats you have to navigate through submenues to get encryption. Then: "Thirdly, you can take control of your smartphone’s mic through another means. On Android, an app called RYL or “record your life” lets you do just that." What the fuck? To block Facebook using my Mic I should install another app, recording ALL THE TIME? I dont want to offend the Author, i think we need more people writing about themes like facebook google privacy and more, but those suggestions are not good. My Suggestions: stop using facebook, use Diaspora or Mastodon. Instant Messages via XMPP (i strongly suggest the app "Conversations"). Root your Smartphone, dont by Iphones. With a rooted smartphone you could easily deny the usage of the mic for facebook instead of installing RYL.

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

#237

Post by danielbln »

a_imho wrote: post #233
mattlondon wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can go a long way to blocking a lot of these by using some alternatives: * Using DuckDuckGo ( https://duckduckgo.com/ ). It is really decent and has good desktop and mobile integration. * Using a browser like Brave ( https://www.brave.com/ ) that blocks trackers etc. Android app is superb. * Using a Maps replacement like OSM ( https://www.openstreetmap.org ) on desktop and OsmAnd on mobile ( https://play.google.c…

Pay in cash Lately I've been wondering whether I should withdraw most of my money from the bank. Any serious drawback to that approach? For one, I don't like my transactions being tracked and two, find it outrageous I have to pay various fees to use/access my money while it is used to enrich others.

Think long and hard about secure storage then. Fireproof safe, bolted to the wall, at the least. Also, carrying wads of cash with you when you travel is a security risk, either via theft, or just by losing it.

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

#238

Post by ibejoeb »

a_imho wrote: post #233
mattlondon wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can go a long way to blocking a lot of these by using some alternatives: * Using DuckDuckGo ( https://duckduckgo.com/ ). It is really decent and has good desktop and mobile integration. * Using a browser like Brave ( https://www.brave.com/ ) that blocks trackers etc. Android app is superb. * Using a Maps replacement like OSM ( https://www.openstreetmap.org ) on desktop and OsmAnd on mobile ( https://play.google.c…

Pay in cash Lately I've been wondering whether I should withdraw most of my money from the bank. Any serious drawback to that approach? For one, I don't like my transactions being tracked and two, find it outrageous I have to pay various fees to use/access my money while it is used to enrich others.

You can address your two problems without dropping the bank.

You should be quite able to find a bank or credit union that will hold your money without charging a fee. Where are you?

You can still use cash to avoid tracking, and you can even thwart forensics by making regular uniform withdrawals. The neat thing is that patterning like this makes you less susceptible to analysis but far more susceptible to getting mugged because now we know that you pull $400 every Tuesday at 3pm. Pick your poison.

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

#239

Post by salsadip »

partiallypro wrote: post #194

Google knows far far more about you than Facebook. Facebook knows the information you want public or general information like usage. Google knows your darkest secrets. Sure, Facebook tracking pixels might track some of your shopping habits too; but Google has analytics everywhere, Adwords linked up, your search history, your browser history, your location history etc.

I disagree. If you use WhatsApp, Facebook knows more personal things about you than google. Things you only talk about to your best friend, fights you have with your significant other, how you behave in group chats etc - it can derive your emotional state and use that. Facebook conducted studies on (real) users on how different posts and the order of posts affects them emotionally. I don't trust services which try to exploit my emotional well-being in order to be more engaging/addictive.

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

#240

Post by fiatpandas »

icelancer wrote: post #217
dTal wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure. And former Google CEO Eric Schmidt famously remarked on the subject of privacy, "If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place." Whatever you think of the people, corporations are not people and their behaviour is only partially directed by them. The most reliable predictor of their direction is their bottom line, and the intelligence of the people…

>Sure. And former Google CEO Eric Schmidt famously remarked on the subject of privacy, "If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place." This is constantly posted out of context. "If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place, but if you really need that kind of privacy, the reality is that sea…

Whenever someone posts this comment in response to the out of context quote, I think to my self that it still really doesn't change my opinion or reading of it.

The dumb part about what Schmidt said is he presumes there is nothing worthwhile about privacy before quickly alluding to a legitimate need for it.

The point about US law is less relevant for me, it's his immediate gut reaction to the legitimacy of privacy.

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