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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

#91

Post by bsenftner »

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.

This is so wrong, it demonstrates how our human society is fundamentally broken, if not operated and manipulated.

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

#92

Post by closewith »

NayamAmarshe wrote: post #90
closewith wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 n…

My honest reply is that you don't know the conversations you were excluded from because of this decision.

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

#93

Post by mhitza »

kergonath wrote: post #51

Lol no. That is a great way to have the European Parliament and the Commission to have a thorough look into your data harvesting practices. And lose yet another lawsuit.

An interesting tidbit is that 5/10 of the highest fines thus far have gone to Meta https://www.enforcementtracker.com/?insights (Highest fines: individual tab)

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

#94

Post by NayamAmarshe »

luluganeta wrote: post #88
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.

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).…

Yeah, I totally understand your point. I had to be the stubborn one to leave WhatsApp and refuse any communication unless they contact me on Telegram.

Some didn't like it at first, but thankfully most of them now love Telegram. I have a “My way or the highway” kinda attitude when it comes to WhatsApp, it has certainly caused problems once or twice, but I'm very firm on my stance against Facebook apps.

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

#95

Post by NayamAmarshe »

closewith wrote: post #92
NayamAmarshe wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 n…

My honest reply is that you don't know the conversations you were excluded from because of this decision.

And to be honest, I realize that, and I'm absolutely fine with it.

Maybe some won't be, but the path of idealism isn't always the most convenient.

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

#96

Post by prmoustache »

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.

People are much more adaptable than you can think of.

The thing is most people would probably choose the wrong alternative, i.e. telegram, whose communications aren't endtoend encrypted by default, as a replacement instead of more decent alternatives. It wouldn't be a win over whatsapp.

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

#97

Post by [deleted] »

rrobukef wrote: post #31
rendall wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If I see a pop-up, especially from "OneTrust", I immediately close the tab and re-open the site in Private/Incognito mode. There are some sites I just reflexively open that way. "Ars Technica" is but one example.

This includes the permission to link your behavior across "devices"? Iirc, it is quite trivial to link one Private-mode session to another.

[deleted]

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

#98

Post by adesanmi »

closewith wrote: post #92
NayamAmarshe wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 n…

My honest reply is that you don't know the conversations you were excluded from because of this decision.

This is a blessing, not a curse.

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

#100

Post by danielheath »

NayamAmarshe wrote: post #95
closewith wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My honest reply is that you don't know the conversations you were excluded from because of this decision.

And to be honest, I realize that, and I'm absolutely fine with it. Maybe some won't be, but the path of idealism isn't always the most convenient.

Taking the consequences works fine if you're not responsible for anyone but yourself.

"Sorry kids, you aren't going to your friends parties or playing sports with them because my ideals conflict with your reality" is not a tenable position.

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