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FTC: Vast Surveillance of Users by Social Media and Video Streaming Companies

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Re: FTC: Vast Surveillance of Users by Social Media and Video Streaming Companies

#11

Post by bitwize »

ryanisnan wrote: post #5

I love the cognitive dissonance on display within the federal government. One arm: "everyone is a criminal; spy on everyone" Other arm: "hey you shouldn't really harvest all of that data"

And it's not just here.

The EU: Unlike the barbarians across the pond, we actually protect people's privacy rights.

Also the EU: ChAt CoNtRoL

Re: FTC: Vast Surveillance of Users by Social Media and Video Streaming Companies

#14

Post by jlarocco »

ryanisnan wrote: post #5

I love the cognitive dissonance on display within the federal government. One arm: "everyone is a criminal; spy on everyone" Other arm: "hey you shouldn't really harvest all of that data"

The cognitive dissonance is in the voters and users.

Even right here on HN, where most people understand the issue, you'll see conversations and arguments in favor of letting companies vacuum up as much data and user info as they want (without consent or opt-in), while also saying it should be illegal for the government to collect the same data without a warrant.

In practice, the corporations and government have found the best of both worlds: https://www.wired.com/story/fbi-purchase-location-data-wray-... Profit for the corporation, legal user data for the government.

Re: FTC: Vast Surveillance of Users by Social Media and Video Streaming Companies

#15

Post by ryanisnan »

bitwize wrote: post #11
ryanisnan wrote: post #5

I love the cognitive dissonance on display within the federal government. One arm: "everyone is a criminal; spy on everyone" Other arm: "hey you shouldn't really harvest all of that data"

And it's not just here. The EU: Unlike the barbarians across the pond, we actually protect people's privacy rights. Also the EU: ChAt CoNtRoL

The problem seems deeply fundamental to what it means to be a human.

On one hand, there's a lack of clear leadership, unifying the societal approach, on top of inherently different value systems held by those individuals.

It seems like increasingly, it's up to technologists, like ones who author our anti-surveillance tools, to create a free way forward.

Re: FTC: Vast Surveillance of Users by Social Media and Video Streaming Companies

#16

Post by devonbleak »

vundercind wrote: post #6

Behind the ball by 15 years to start taking this seriously and beginning to think about pushing back, but better late than never. Next please reign in the CRAs.

It makes me irrationally angry that I suddenly started getting spam emails from Experian. Like motherfucker I never consented for you to have my data, then you leak it all, now you're sending me unsolicited junk email? It's just such bullshit that I'm literally forced to have a relationship with these companies to freeze my credit or else I'm at the mercy of whoever they decide to release my information to without my authorization.

Re: FTC: Vast Surveillance of Users by Social Media and Video Streaming Companies

#17

Post by whimsicalism »

ryanisnan wrote: post #5

I love the cognitive dissonance on display within the federal government. One arm: "everyone is a criminal; spy on everyone" Other arm: "hey you shouldn't really harvest all of that data"

It seems entirely reasonable/consistent that we would allow some capabilities among publicly sanctioned, democratically legitimate actors while prohibiting private actors from doing the same.

In fact, many such things fall into that category.

Re: FTC: Vast Surveillance of Users by Social Media and Video Streaming Companies

#18

Post by whimsicalism »

bitwize wrote: post #11
ryanisnan wrote: post #5

I love the cognitive dissonance on display within the federal government. One arm: "everyone is a criminal; spy on everyone" Other arm: "hey you shouldn't really harvest all of that data"

And it's not just here. The EU: Unlike the barbarians across the pond, we actually protect people's privacy rights. Also the EU: ChAt CoNtRoL

this view presupposes the state as “just another actor” as opposed to a privileged one that can take actions that private actors can’t

Re: FTC: Vast Surveillance of Users by Social Media and Video Streaming Companies

#19

Post by spacemadness »

jlarocco wrote: post #14
ryanisnan wrote: post #5

I love the cognitive dissonance on display within the federal government. One arm: "everyone is a criminal; spy on everyone" Other arm: "hey you shouldn't really harvest all of that data"

The cognitive dissonance is in the voters and users. Even right here on HN, where most people understand the issue, you'll see conversations and arguments in favor of letting companies vacuum up as much data and user info as they want (without consent or opt-in), while also saying it should be illegal for the government to collect the same data without a warrant. In practice, the corporations and government have foun…

HN is filled with folks that wrote the code in question, or want to create similar products. And they hate to have it pointed out that these tools may cause harm so they thrash around and make excuses and point fingers. A tale as old as this site.

Re: FTC: Vast Surveillance of Users by Social Media and Video Streaming Companies

#20

Post by mrmetanoia »

GeekyBear wrote: post #4

This portion is particularly problematic: > many companies engaged in broad data sharing that raises serious concerns regarding the adequacy of the companies’ data handling controls and oversight.

It would be wonderful if the staff report recommendations were taken seriously by our legislators. I think I'll send a copy of this to my reps and say hi.
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