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

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

#131
post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

How is Telegram more privacy preserving than WhatsApp?

It isn't. It creates massive barriers for using e2ee

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

#132
post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Well, I wasn't the GP but I see their point. Because today, buying a product isn't enough. Subscriptions and rent-seeking is where it's at.

Once you've bought a smart TV, it shouldn't really be any of Roku's business what you watch, but you basically have to airgap any brand of "smart" TV to avoid data collection.

Cars are much more computerized nowadays, so it would not be a stretch to imagine they have data harvesting software somehow (especially in light of Volkwagen's emissions test cheating); but if I've bought a car, it's mine, so why allow that? And then there's Ford's idea to have self-driving vehicles drive them back to the dealership if you miss a payment, which is a lot less time-gracious than missing utilities or anything like that.

The last time I paid for a laptop with Microsoft on it I still got ads shoveled in my face, and of course there's all the telemetry to deal with. Apple had that drama a few months back with people not being able to launch certain apps because some connection to their servers wasn't being made that would allow it, and Apple products go for premium.

It would seem rather prudent to assume that if you buy a product and it is electronic, there is probably some mechanism to transmit data to the manufacturer, because IoT and profit and why the fuck not.

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

#133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

This is just rationalizing FOMO. Of course you don't know the things you don't know.

Yes, I continue to use WhatsApp because I have fear of missing out.

Missing out on conversations from my extended family, friends (only about 1/4 use Signal and all groups are on WhatsApp), work (the Health Service in Ireland literally runs on WhatsApp), voluntary undertakings (all of which are organised on WhatsApp), organising stuff for the kids (again all on WhatsApp).

So it's a valid fear based on the reality in my social circle and country. Unilaterally moving to Signal means self-imposed isolation.

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

#134
post #58
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.

That isn't true, but it's more than that anyway. Even if I don't use any fb service, my friend circle does, and that is enough for fb to build a profile on me, without my consent.

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

#135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

This is just rationalizing FOMO. Of course you don't know the things you don't know.

FOMO can be rational or irrational. In this case it is very much rational.

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

#136
post #22
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.

WhatsApp is the one app that I continue to use by them. Aren't they only able to collect meta-data on the conversations and not see any of the texts themselves? Also, no ads yet, so that's a win for me.

Everytime I've tried moving people over to Signal/Telegram, etc. we try it for a week and then go back to WhatApp because of so many other groups on there....

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

#137

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.

A tale about choices and consequences.

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

#138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is just rationalizing FOMO. Of course you don't know the things you don't know.

Yes, I continue to use WhatsApp because I have fear of missing out. Missing out on conversations from my extended family, friends (only about 1/4 use Signal and all groups are on WhatsApp), work (the Health Service in Ireland literally runs on WhatsApp), voluntary undertakings (all of which are organised on WhatsApp), organising stuff for the kids (again all on WhatsApp). So it's a valid fear based on the reality in…

> the Health Service in Ireland literally runs on WhatsApp

This part is terrifying: does Ireland not have the equivalent of HSR (UK, in combination with a patchwork of other legislation) or HIPAA?

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

#139
post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

How is Telegram more privacy preserving than WhatsApp?

I do wonder about that: moving from WhatsApp to Telegram appears to be a case of moving from the frying pan into the fire. To Signal seems somewhere more reasonable.

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

#140
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…

> strawman argument of "Well don't just use their services then" is ridiculous with their influence I do not use any of facebook's apps or websites But from what I can see from DuckDuckGo App tracking protection multiple apps load Facebook trackers. Basically there is no escaping facebook even if you don't touch any of their apps.

Pi Hole or a similar DNS sink is a reasonable improvement, though obviously not a complete solution.
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