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Meta wants EU users to apply for permission to opt out of data collection

arstechnica.com

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Re: Meta wants EU users to apply for permission to opt out of data collection

#81

Post by dallyo »

f1refly wrote: post #58
gman83 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In terms of Facebook where I live, "Well don't just use their services then" is simply impossible. Almost all of my kids' sports activities and parent groups are on WhatsApp, I have to use it.

"Simply impossible" is relative once you don't use whatsapp anymore. People will just adjust to send you sms or call you instead for important information.

> People will just adjust to send you sms or call you instead for important information

That's a big leap of faith.

Re: Meta wants EU users to apply for permission to opt out of data collection

#82

Post by closewith »

NayamAmarshe wrote: post #64
gman83 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In terms of Facebook where I live, "Well don't just use their services then" is simply impossible. Almost all of my kids' sports activities and parent groups are on WhatsApp, I have to use it.

> Almost all of my kids' sports activities and parent groups are on WhatsApp, I have to use it. My company asked me to install WhatsApp once, but I explained to them why I don't use it, and they didn't have a problem with it. Sometimes, all people need to know is 'no' and most of the time they don't even need an explanation.

In large swathes of the world, refusing to use WhatsApp means losing contact with the majority of people you know. It's the de facto communications method in many countries.

Re: Meta wants EU users to apply for permission to opt out of data collection

#83

Post by esskay »

gman83 wrote: post #22
bilekas wrote: post #12

This is still a bit insane to me. If I understand correct, you have to fill a form with a justification why you object, and then Meta will decide if you can be removed from the detailed data collection ? Privacy is a basic human right, and the strawman argument of "Well don't just use their services then" is ridiculous with their influence. Also them touting to "connected the world" When in reality is "connecting to…

In terms of Facebook where I live, "Well don't just use their services then" is simply impossible. Almost all of my kids' sports activities and parent groups are on WhatsApp, I have to use it.

Even if you avoid it their trackers are on so many sites that its very hard to not have them collect data on you. Even after opting out I doubt they can actually follow through and not know anything about you.

Re: Meta wants EU users to apply for permission to opt out of data collection

#84

Post by jacquesm »

Meta is way out of line. There is absolutely no way that the EU is going to allow Meta to break the law at scale without regulators throwing a fit. They might even get to be made into an example of what happens when you repeatedly try to knowingly break the law.

Re: Meta wants EU users to apply for permission to opt out of data collection

#85

Post by nicky0 »

CatWChainsaw wrote: post #70
nicky0 wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. How so?

Are there any indications that paying for Meta Verified opts you out of their data collection, since you've given them money instead?

I see, you were referring to Meta specifically. Your statement doesn't generalise though.

Re: Meta wants EU users to apply for permission to opt out of data collection

#86

Post by redeeman »

gman83 wrote: post #22
bilekas wrote: post #12

This is still a bit insane to me. If I understand correct, you have to fill a form with a justification why you object, and then Meta will decide if you can be removed from the detailed data collection ? Privacy is a basic human right, and the strawman argument of "Well don't just use their services then" is ridiculous with their influence. Also them touting to "connected the world" When in reality is "connecting to…

In terms of Facebook where I live, "Well don't just use their services then" is simply impossible. Almost all of my kids' sports activities and parent groups are on WhatsApp, I have to use it.

no. you WANT to use it

Re: Meta wants EU users to apply for permission to opt out of data collection

#87

Post by xorfish »

scrollaway wrote: post #55
raven105x wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm honestly shocked most sensible EU countries don't simply DNS block Meta at this point.

Because WhatsApp is the primary mode of communication for hundreds of millions of people across the EU.

That is the case, but banning it just for a few weeks will change that without much disruption. Most people are aware that Signal exist and switch the moment WhatsApp stops working.

Re: Meta wants EU users to apply for permission to opt out of data collection

#88

Post by luluganeta »

NayamAmarshe wrote: post #64
gman83 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In terms of Facebook where I live, "Well don't just use their services then" is simply impossible. Almost all of my kids' sports activities and parent groups are on WhatsApp, I have to use it.

> Almost all of my kids' sports activities and parent groups are on WhatsApp, I have to use it. My company asked me to install WhatsApp once, but I explained to them why I don't use it, and they didn't have a problem with it. Sometimes, all people need to know is 'no' and most of the time they don't even need an explanation.

that's a nice company, but parent comment had a really important point about depending on Whatsapp for basic social interaction.

most informal social groups, parents included, now communicate mainly on whatsapp. You can naturally say no (i did) but then your kid is left out of most social events unless you're actively syncing with other parents every week to be in the loop (which is what i do and it's excruciating).

Whatsapp as a platform is extremely convenient, which is why other people will have a hard time understanding your reluctance to adhere, it's not uncommon to be seen as eccentric.

so again, congratulations on finding a great company, but there are real issues with the general social dependence on a single invasive platform.

Re: Meta wants EU users to apply for permission to opt out of data collection

#89

Post by redeeman »

jacquesm wrote: post #84

Meta is way out of line. There is absolutely no way that the EU is going to allow Meta to break the law at scale without regulators throwing a fit. They might even get to be made into an example of what happens when you repeatedly try to knowingly break the law.

[flagged]

Re: Meta wants EU users to apply for permission to opt out of data collection

#90

Post by NayamAmarshe »

closewith wrote: post #82
NayamAmarshe wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Almost all of my kids' sports activities and parent groups are on WhatsApp, I have to use it. My company asked me to install WhatsApp once, but I explained to them why I don't use it, and they didn't have a problem with it. Sometimes, all people need to know is 'no' and most of the time they don't even need an explanation.

In large swathes of the world, refusing to use WhatsApp means losing contact with the majority of people you know. It's the de facto communications method in many countries.

I live in a country where WhatsApp is used by almost everyone. I uninstalled it 2 years ago and told my contacts that they can find me on Telegram if they'd like to contact me. Most of my friends and family switched to Telegram, and I'm really grateful for that. I don't miss any updates, and I'm able to communicate on a platform I like. In the beginning, they found it odd, but eventually started to like it and some now even prefer it.
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