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Facebook now denying access unless EU users opt-in to tracking

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Re: Facebook now denying access unless EU users opt-in to tracking

#101

GDPR doesn't cover enough of the population using Facebook to warrant such a change to their business model where you can use the service without them using your data. They believe they are entrenched enough to just require this (and likely are for many EU residents).

Are you talking with real knowledge of the facts, or is this a guess?

Because my guess would be that it would be cheaper to adhere to the rules rather than let a competitor grow big in Europe and eat their market elsewhere.

Re: Facebook now denying access unless EU users opt-in to tracking

#102
post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's basically how it works in the US, yes.

Not just the US. Most of the western world has incredibly invasive security theatre in airports and train stations now.

No, it doesn't. (Except for perhaps UK and Canada.)

Re: Facebook now denying access unless EU users opt-in to tracking

#103
post #2

IIRC, the GDPR is very explicit about what constitutes valid consent, so things like pre-checked check-boxes aren't valid. Is "consent" gained by a screen with only an "I agree" button even kosher by it?

My guess is that GDPR is not yet in effect thus they can use this to get consent in advance. After GDPR is in place these will be changed to comply with it.

Re: Facebook now denying access unless EU users opt-in to tracking

#104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those are safety/environmental issues. Showing you ads based on your preferences is not.

You could easily argue that tracking users behaviour is a safety issue. But fair enough, how about the loan business, you aren't allowed to charge overly high interest on loans. That's neither a safety or environmental issue.

Predatory interest rates frankly don't concern or particularly bother me. I think, for me, that only becomes a point of concern if a person is simply mentally unfit to make such decisions for themselves. In such cases the general guidance that someone else deemed fit should be responsible for that person's decisions applies, which goes back to the point you made earlier.

Re: Facebook now denying access unless EU users opt-in to tracking

#105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Greate, so now my account will just exist in some state of limbo...

VPN in and delete your account? I've no personal experience to know if this is the wrong use case but I've seen it recommended enough on HN now to think its the right solution for this issue.

I imagine that doing this would have a downside: if they think you are outside the EU, they are not obligated to fully delete your data - it would live forever as soft-deleted, which may not be what you want if your intention is to protest against tracking.

Re: Facebook now denying access unless EU users opt-in to tracking

#106
post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's basically how it works in the US, yes.

Not just the US. Most of the western world has incredibly invasive security theatre in airports and train stations now.

Huh? When I get on a train in Germany, I open the door and step inside. The train station is usually even simpler.

Re: Facebook now denying access unless EU users opt-in to tracking

#107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really do agree with you, a Facebook account isn't a right you have. You can just not use Facebook if you disagree with their terms of service. The only problem is: Facebooks terms of service isn't really reasonable, and most people won't understand the implications. As I understand the GDPR one of the goals is to give users a set of rights, in regards to their data. These right cannot, under any circumstances, be…

it is extremely possible to sign away one's free speech; this is the heart of a non-disclosure agreement.

No, that says: If you choose to exercise your free speech on this one particular area, then the consequence will be severe. The result will be that most people would opt to follow the NDA, but you're still allow to say whatever you want.

Re: Facebook now denying access unless EU users opt-in to tracking

#108
post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm gonna guess that no, you can't. That's what I would expect from Facebook.

Greate, so now my account will just exist in some state of limbo...

That will result in a 4% revenue fine under GDPR rules if I read the correctly.

Re: Facebook now denying access unless EU users opt-in to tracking

#109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

VPN in and delete your account? I've no personal experience to know if this is the wrong use case but I've seen it recommended enough on HN now to think its the right solution for this issue.

I imagine that doing this would have a downside: if they think you are outside the EU, they are not obligated to fully delete your data - it would live forever as soft-deleted, which may not be what you want if your intention is to protest against tracking.

How can you prove a hard delete.

And you can VPN within the EU..

Re: Facebook now denying access unless EU users opt-in to tracking

#110

GDPR doesn't cover enough of the population using Facebook to warrant such a change to their business model where you can use the service without them using your data. They believe they are entrenched enough to just require this (and likely are for many EU residents).

I'm really curious to find out if the GDPR privacy stance (I'm American, not well traveled, and with no non american social circle) is like the 'no JavaScript' community. Vastly over represented in the tech community and not really representative of the population as a whole. In other words, are 99% of European citizens going to just click through what ever annoying prompts they have to in order to get to their faceb…

I think most will just click through. I know I will. However there is probably a larger percentage of Europeans who won't compared to Americans.
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