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AliExpress runs silent WebAudio fingerprinting that breaks Bluetooth multipoint

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Re: AliExpress runs silent WebAudio fingerprinting that breaks Bluetooth multipoint

#131
post #8

I noticed in the last few weeks that if I’d recently opened the AliExpress iOS app (ie. it was backgrounded) my car audio would freak out thinking I was giving it an audio command. Killing the AliExpress app immediately fixed the problem. After seeing it happen more than once I assumed it was something dodgey and uninstalled the app.

And that's OK with Apple's App review?

Re: AliExpress runs silent WebAudio fingerprinting that breaks Bluetooth multipoint

#132
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I cannot ever imagine installing something like AliExpress as an app.

You probably buy things off amazon that are dropshipped from AliExpress all the time. Stop with the elitism

In first world countries, buying from a local reseller grants you customer rights (like returning or replacing defective items).

Re: AliExpress runs silent WebAudio fingerprinting that breaks Bluetooth multipoint

#133
post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure if they still do, but a couple years ago prices in the app were lower than on the website. And they promoted installing it to save money.

They also don't give you a proper tracking number. The only way to track your shipment is in the app.

This is not correct. I do not have the app and get tracking for my orders.

Re: AliExpress runs silent WebAudio fingerprinting that breaks Bluetooth multipoint

#134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure if they still do, but a couple years ago prices in the app were lower than on the website. And they promoted installing it to save money.

> Not sure if they still do, but a couple years ago prices in app were lower than on the website. And they promoted installing it to save money. Translation: They are able to mine your personal data more completely with an app installed vs the website which they can sell for pure profit. They promoted installing it to extract more value from you.

It also all goes to the party, who are the owners of Alibaba (and every other company in China).

Should you ever need someone in a foreign country to do something for you, it's good to have as much information as possible at your disposal about them.

Re: AliExpress runs silent WebAudio fingerprinting that breaks Bluetooth multipoint

#135
post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They also don't give you a proper tracking number. The only way to track your shipment is in the app.

This is not correct. I do not have the app and get tracking for my orders.

I get email updates but whenever I click the track link it tells me I need the app.

Re: AliExpress runs silent WebAudio fingerprinting that breaks Bluetooth multipoint

#136
post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure if they still do, but a couple years ago prices in the app were lower than on the website. And they promoted installing it to save money.

And someone would install random apps to save $5 on $100 purchases?

"random apps" and it's the largest eCommerce company on the planet

Re: AliExpress runs silent WebAudio fingerprinting that breaks Bluetooth multipoint

#137
post #9
post #8

I noticed in the last few weeks that if I’d recently opened the AliExpress iOS app (ie. it was backgrounded) my car audio would freak out thinking I was giving it an audio command. Killing the AliExpress app immediately fixed the problem. After seeing it happen more than once I assumed it was something dodgey and uninstalled the app.

I cannot ever imagine installing something like AliExpress as an app.

A lot of people install TikTok. Or Instagram.

Re: AliExpress runs silent WebAudio fingerprinting that breaks Bluetooth multipoint

#138
post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is not correct. I do not have the app and get tracking for my orders.

I get email updates but whenever I click the track link it tells me I need the app.

If on mobile, ticking "desktop mode" in your browser usually goes around that dark pattern.

Re: AliExpress runs silent WebAudio fingerprinting that breaks Bluetooth multipoint

#139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure if they still do, but a couple years ago prices in the app were lower than on the website. And they promoted installing it to save money.

It's still the case that you pay less in the app. You get 'coins' for a daily check-in, which are automatically(?) applied as a discount. Most items either don't actually use them or only give you a pointless 1% off or something, but I've gotten a $12 microcontroller for $5, for example. I think some coupons are app-only, too (though most aliexpress sales are fake and are better thought of as the normal price).

>You get 'coins' for a daily check-in, which are automatically(?) applied as a discount.

This should be illegal

Re: AliExpress runs silent WebAudio fingerprinting that breaks Bluetooth multipoint

#140
post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is not correct. I do not have the app and get tracking for my orders.

I get email updates but whenever I click the track link it tells me I need the app.

It does show a popup to that effect, but if you dismiss it you can still see the tracking info. Definitely annoying, but not unworkable.
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