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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

#162
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.

> simply impossible

> all of my kids' sports activities and parent groups

I thought you were going to followup with some anti-dictatorship or something. not parent groups lol.

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

#163
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's not embedded within the us data industrial complex (meta, alphabet)

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

#164

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

It depends where you live.

In the US, I don't have Telegram and it's been ages since I sent a message on WhatsApp. Everyone I know just uses SMS.

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

#165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

... and be punished with yet another 11.278 € fine, as if that would change anything.

“GDPR sets forth fines of up to 10 million euros, or, in the case of an undertaking, up to 2% of its entire global turnover of the preceding fiscal year, whichever is higher” Generally speaking, GDPR violations won’t be addressed with a slap on the wrist, apparently

> Generally speaking, GDPR violations won’t be addressed with a slap on the wrist, apparently

So, when they plan to actually start fining?

> "2% of its entire global turnover of the preceding fiscal year"

I'd like to see this fine in the case of Meta and Google, but we both know it'll never happen.

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

#166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even without the privacy issues it is insane that you are forced to do business with certain corporations in order to fully participate in society. But most people don't care or open alternatives would be more popular.

> But most people don't care or open alternatives would be more popular. I disagree with your premise. Whatsapp wasn't always owned by FB/Meta. It had a huge user base then got bought out. Alternatives like Signal are popular, but it's hard to overcome inertia. Give them time.

.. time to get a huge userbase and then bought out?

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

#167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

“GDPR sets forth fines of up to 10 million euros, or, in the case of an undertaking, up to 2% of its entire global turnover of the preceding fiscal year, whichever is higher” Generally speaking, GDPR violations won’t be addressed with a slap on the wrist, apparently

> Generally speaking, GDPR violations won’t be addressed with a slap on the wrist, apparently So, when they plan to actually start fining? > "2% of its entire global turnover of the preceding fiscal year" I'd like to see this fine in the case of Meta and Google, but we both know it'll never happen.

What do you mean when? Check 'Highest fines: individual' here https://www.enforcementtracker.com/?insights

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

#168

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]

>meta knows that they are far far more popular in the population than politicians, and politicians know that if they were to effectively stop facebook, the blowback would be immediate.

If Facebook doesn't want to operate in a region where they're unable to accept payments from local residents that's their business.

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

#169

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even without the privacy issues it is insane that you are forced to do business with certain corporations in order to fully participate in society. But most people don't care or open alternatives would be more popular.

This isn't unique to WhatsApp/Meta though. Many banks require a smartphone running unrooted Android or iOS. Visa/Mastercard(and AMEX I guess) have a polyopoly(?) on cashless transactions, and have done for my entire life. Many government services here in the UK are provided by private corporations, and have been for a very long time. Another way of thinking of it is that the value that Meta/Mastercard/Virgin/other co…

> polyopoly

Oligopoly.

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

#170
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.

This is what I call a load-bearing "just". People don't "just". Getting people to change their workflows and habits is difficult. And they certainly won't do it for the single person who decided to opt out of common communications channels. It'll be up to you to actively maintain that relationship. After all, you're the one that opted out of the social contract.

I've encountered this everywhere, even with myself. I'm bad at keeping in touch to begin with. Anyone decided not to use normal means to communicate with me are likely to get missed among the hundred plus other people I know.

I'm not on Facebook, so I'm left out of the majority of my family's communication. The only reason I know anything is I regularly call my parents to get the summary. (It's also a good excuse to call. We always have something to talk about.)

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