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Tell HN: Dropbox now requires access to contacts for Google login

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Re: Tell HN: Dropbox now requires access to contacts for Google login

#161

Post by nkrisc »

KingOfCoders wrote: post #73
matsemann wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes wtf, I'm already paying and trying to watch a series I enjoy, stop pestering me. Just one of many dark patterns at Amazon, cancelling Prime is so difficult that Norwegan Consumer Council and 15 others yesterday started a legal fight with Amazon: https://www.forbrukerradet.no/siste-nytt/amazon-manipulates-... The video there is quite aggravating.

I've cancelled Prime, now they hit me with week long delivery times which after a day are reduced by half or less, just to get me back on Prime.

I just wait for the free month of prime offers and do my Amazon shopping only during that time. Why pay when they keep giving it to me a few times a year.

Re: Tell HN: Dropbox now requires access to contacts for Google login

#162

Post by hellojason »

jjbinx007 wrote: post #89
KingOfCoders wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same with the ads for Amazon videos on Amazon Prime. They are ads and I don't want ads. But they don't see it that way (don't get me started on the forced watching of texts on Blue Rays).

Ads on Amazon Prime are infuriating. And I can't help think how annoying it must be for people with disabilities. My other bugbear are the auto playing videos on Netflix and the use of massive spoilers in episode thumbnails. As a single consumer in a vast ocean I don't think my opinions will ever be listened to. Right now it's worth putting up with this crap as the benefits outweigh the cost but if it gets any worse…

> auto playing videos on Netflix

You can now disable this at the account level. They added the option a few months back.

Re: Tell HN: Dropbox now requires access to contacts for Google login

#163

Post by YuccaGloriosa »

ytch wrote: post #98
hatmatrix wrote: post #37

Do you need Google login though? I think for every platform I have created a separate account (and don't link them together).

Me too. I buy a domain and setup a forward-all email server. For example, github@mydomain.dev for github. With a password manager, I won't confused at login. And most importantly, use fb@mydomain.dev at Facebook since I will see AD on Facebook about what I just browsed on another shopping site with the same email account.

"Facebook container" can be useful here

Re: Tell HN: Dropbox now requires access to contacts for Google login

#164

Post by dazc »

KingOfCoders wrote: post #73
matsemann wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes wtf, I'm already paying and trying to watch a series I enjoy, stop pestering me. Just one of many dark patterns at Amazon, cancelling Prime is so difficult that Norwegan Consumer Council and 15 others yesterday started a legal fight with Amazon: https://www.forbrukerradet.no/siste-nytt/amazon-manipulates-... The video there is quite aggravating.

I've cancelled Prime, now they hit me with week long delivery times which after a day are reduced by half or less, just to get me back on Prime.

I have Prime and, because many of my orders are for business use, I keep being invited to AmazonBusiness where I can download invoices (which I can do already) and buy another kind of Prime or start paying for deliveries again?

Re: Tell HN: Dropbox now requires access to contacts for Google login

#165

Post by Erlich_Bachman »

birksherty wrote: post #92
grishka wrote: post #43

I really wish mobile OSes would allow you to grant apps permissions but serve fake data, (that's important!) without giving the app the ability to tell the difference. Just so it appears to the app that you've given the permission, when you in fact have not. This would solve this entire class of problems and then some. So, for example: - App "has" access to contacts, but the system returns that you have none. - App "…

I use xprivacy lua in android that does exactly this. It's not simple for general public though and it needs root.

Does it still work in recent Android versions though?

Re: Tell HN: Dropbox now requires access to contacts for Google login

#166

Post by heelix »

Philip-J-Fry wrote: post #107
KingOfCoders wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same with the ads for Amazon videos on Amazon Prime. They are ads and I don't want ads. But they don't see it that way (don't get me started on the forced watching of texts on Blue Rays).

I personally don't mind the ads on Amazon Prime because they're instantly skippable and do actually show things I might be interested in. Plus they don't show random shit like ads for a car or a TV or something. I don't sit and browse Amazon (because the browsing experience on Amazon prime is dogshit), so I go straight to anything I want to watch on there. The only opportunity to discover new shows on there is usuall…

The ads Amazon added to Twitch prime have been brutal. Nothing re-engaged me in the adblock war than their constant barrage there.

Re: Tell HN: Dropbox now requires access to contacts for Google login

#167

Post by userbinator »

grenoire wrote: post #67
grishka wrote: post #43

I really wish mobile OSes would allow you to grant apps permissions but serve fake data, (that's important!) without giving the app the ability to tell the difference. Just so it appears to the app that you've given the permission, when you in fact have not. This would solve this entire class of problems and then some. So, for example: - App "has" access to contacts, but the system returns that you have none. - App "…

App developers find out about this practice as it gets more commonplace. They add a check for 'empty' data or resolution failures. If these checks notice that you had been providing null or fake data, the app now gives you an intrusive yet pleading popup to please lift the privacy measures. You get annoyed, resenting the fact that your friends are using this piece of garbage. Reluctantly you lift the measures, forget…

Just like with adblockers and anti-adblockers, you then go one level deeper...

It's a cat-and-mouse game. As long as you have full control over your device, you win.

Re: Tell HN: Dropbox now requires access to contacts for Google login

#168

Post by dazc »

VBprogrammer wrote: post #88
KingOfCoders wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same with the ads for Amazon videos on Amazon Prime. They are ads and I don't want ads. But they don't see it that way (don't get me started on the forced watching of texts on Blue Rays).

Honestly, the most annoying thing about this is when they show you an advert for a series that you have already watched. I mean it's not like they don't have the data already...

Most ads I see are for shows I have already decided I will never watch even if they pay me.

Re: Tell HN: Dropbox now requires access to contacts for Google login

#170

Post by fredzel »

jjbinx007 wrote: post #89
KingOfCoders wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same with the ads for Amazon videos on Amazon Prime. They are ads and I don't want ads. But they don't see it that way (don't get me started on the forced watching of texts on Blue Rays).

Ads on Amazon Prime are infuriating. And I can't help think how annoying it must be for people with disabilities. My other bugbear are the auto playing videos on Netflix and the use of massive spoilers in episode thumbnails. As a single consumer in a vast ocean I don't think my opinions will ever be listened to. Right now it's worth putting up with this crap as the benefits outweigh the cost but if it gets any worse…

Pretty annoying when they run you trailers of a sequel before you even finished the first one because 'you might be interested' - sometimes even the thumbnail is a spoiler.
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