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'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

theguardian.com

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Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#41

Post by szundi »

everdrive wrote: post #33
sumuyuda wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The solution is that banks should support any TOTP client for authentication and not just their proprietary app. So you can use open source software or a hardware key.

But they won't. HN is quite good at suggesting a lot of genuinely intelligent and valid potential technical solutions, but most banks won't even think about supporting TOTP broadly. They'll lean into smartphones and apps because this is where the bast majority of their customers are. In this case the 'tyranny' is the overwhelming preference of other people. The masses have spoken, and they want everything to be on th…

[dead]

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#43

Post by underseacables »

nonrandomstring wrote: post #23

It is not "unfair". We choose to resist technofascism.

It is unfair. A close friend of mine has brain damage, is low income, and he can't really use a smart phone. He just has a simple flip phone and it's all he has. It has been isolating for him with working and managing his life.

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#44

Post by em-bee »

ekianjo wrote: post #38
JeanMarcS wrote: post #10

My brother doesn't have à smartphone (by choice). For example, he cannot access his bank account via his desktop anymore. He have to go to his agency in person. Well we all did that for years so it's just annoying, because he still have the possibility to do it and it's his choice. But what will happen if all the brick and mortar close ? When will it be mandatory to get a smartphone for his bank app, just to have acc…

the solution is to let the market do its work and move to another bank?

in many places there is no bank that offers an alternative

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#45

Post by aspect0545 »

kpmcc wrote: post #34

Somewhat unrelated to the piece, but this is the second website I’ve seen in two days that appears to not have properly merged an edit? “ The RAC’s head of policy, Simon Williams, says many people are overwhelmed by the multitude of apps they have to use, “when in reality you want one that you like and you’re happy using and that you can use everywhere”. Six years ago the Department for Transport started developing a…

I doubt the guardian and npr use Wordpress

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#46

Post by stavros »

renegade-otter wrote: post #14

I use my phone primarily for messaging. In fact, I often forget and have the Anti-Distraction mode turned on, so I only get important comms but no app notifications. SIDENOTE People need to chill out with the word "tyranny". It's like saying that you are being "assaulted" by a different opinion, or claiming that ordinary platform moderation is "censorship". You are not being terrorized, assaulted, or censored. There…

I think you're in a very small minority if you think that someone using the phrase "tyranny of notifications" is implying they live under a dictatorial regime. Most people just understand the hyperbole.

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#47

Post by em-bee »

MattGaiser wrote: post #25
JeanMarcS wrote: post #10

My brother doesn't have à smartphone (by choice). For example, he cannot access his bank account via his desktop anymore. He have to go to his agency in person. Well we all did that for years so it's just annoying, because he still have the possibility to do it and it's his choice. But what will happen if all the brick and mortar close ? When will it be mandatory to get a smartphone for his bank app, just to have acc…

Where is this bank? Are there not other banks that do allow access via branches or online?

i can't access any of my online accounts without a phone. one at least still does simple sms, so it doesn't require a smartphone, but it requires a phone nonetheless. the other requires an app. the problem is that this is a trend. more and more banks switch to requiring apps. if we don't fight the trend, then all banks will do it. switching banks now does not work because the new bank does not know that this is the reason you switched, and the old bank is also unlikely to track this detail.

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#48

Post by Kwpolska »

sumuyuda wrote: post #27
JeanMarcS wrote: post #10

My brother doesn't have à smartphone (by choice). For example, he cannot access his bank account via his desktop anymore. He have to go to his agency in person. Well we all did that for years so it's just annoying, because he still have the possibility to do it and it's his choice. But what will happen if all the brick and mortar close ? When will it be mandatory to get a smartphone for his bank app, just to have acc…

The solution is that banks should support any TOTP client for authentication and not just their proprietary app. So you can use open source software or a hardware key.

Can your TOTP client show what operation you’re approving? Because my bank app can.

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#49

Post by xandrius »

everdrive wrote: post #28

People are writing this off, but it eventually becomes impossible not to own a smartphone; an expensive device, with an expensive monthly plan, and an absolutely terrible privacy record. Eventually more businesses will require smartphone usage just to use their services. There could even be a time when government services require it.

Can't say they are expensive anymore, you can get an updated android phone for less than $50 new or less second hand.

Can't say about monthly plans, as that depends on the country.

Privacy is a different matter and always dependent on the technical literacy as opposed to hard costs.

Re: 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised

#50

Post by like_any_other »

rs186 wrote: post #36

Very weird logic. As the article points out, this is an intentional choice for many people. So you shoulder the consequences, that seems fair to me? I don't currently drive a car, and to be honest, I have anxiety about driving. I could bitch about how US is hostile to people who don't drive, to the point that it's difficult to go to places/get things done, but that's useless. I can 1) move to NYC and never leave the…

We all shoulder the consequences of slowly sliding into a society of lock-in and surveillance, which is what unnecessarily requiring smartphones advances. That there are choices along the way doesn't make it fair - if I let you choose which of your fingers I cut off, am I being fair? Wait a few years, and the "choice" will be between living in the woods, and carrying an always-on telescreen with you at all times.
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