Live data from Hacker News

Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

old.reddit.com

131–140 of 261 posts

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#131
post #100

I know that I'm in a bit of a bubble with this one, but I am surprised there is still anyone using Chrome instead of Brave. I get the dependency on Gmail other Google-specific tools, but the built-in ad blocking and Google-free aspects of it made me switch instantly and haven't look back after years.

I was using Firefox, Vivaldi, Zen, and finally got fed up with various issues that Zen was having, so I switched to Waterfox. I am very happy and the browser is very fast; difference is immense.

Waterfox is literally owned by an ad company.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#132

It seems to me that adding AI to desktop apps and sending the data back to the mothership for processing is an amazing way to collect data from people who, for the most part, would be completely unaware it's even happening. Heck, most of them think the Internet is Chrome.

The even more frustrating thing here is that after auto-updates everything new [including AI "features"] is turned ON by default. I do like how Firefox now has a "prevent future AI integrations" checkbox[0], but I just don't believe it anymore (i.e. that it won't magically `uncheck` itself and then enable features I've not requested/authorized) . Which is why I just used an LLM to help me create a local network admin…

[dead]

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm aware of a few things, myself: 1) Google properties 1a) Chromecast 2) a few web-based games that were really pushing the envelope on web APIs and didn't bother testing on Firefox 3) WebUSB, commonly used for some things like keyboard customization apps

Which Google properties are Chrome only? I'm not doubting you but the major ones (search, mail, maps, ads) are extremely cross-platform.

In the past there were features that didn't work at all; I used to hit those regularly. Device setup flows, AV features, etc. These days, it's never "this doesn't work on other browsers". It's always "this is worse on other browsers", whether because they don't test it or because they don't care.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#134
post #91
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The trouble is that Mozilla has admitted they can't survive without Google's revenue. You are basically using Google by proxy unless you use a truly independent browser engine of they get blocked by Cloudflare for not having enough fingerprinting tech.

> You are basically using Google by proxy unless you use a truly independent browser engine This conclusion doesn't follow your premise. Google has to pay because if Mozilla dies, so does the claim of any real competition on the browser engine market. So everyone agrees Firefox's engine is truly independent. Google pays so Firefox users don't use anything that has to do with Google. If you think about it, the only re…

> Chrome would end up being spun off from Google.

You mean, with reasonable administrations, caring for antitrust laws.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Brave started off incredibly sketchy Chrome has stayed incredibly sketchy from the beginning, when Google gained marketshare by sneaking Chrome into the installer for other products that people intentionally downloaded. Then Chrome did things like "accidentally" uploading your entire browsing history to Google servers when you signed into Gmail. Now they have declared war on ad blockers, despite the government warn…

That's a different kind of sketchy than whatever crypto ad replacement stuff that Brave was accused of doing.

The only difference is that Google is still doing new sketchy things with Chrome today, two decades later.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#136
post #96

My belief is that the AI business is all about data collection. The value isn't so much in the quality of the models (that's what enterprise customers and developers pay to get), but in the amount of data that comes "for free" to whoever hosts the models. And then it's worth whoever buys it thinks it is, like insurers or advertisers.

"My belief is the AI business is all about data collection." The "business" of so-called "tech" companies is all about data collection https://www.economist.com/leaders/2017/05/06/the-worlds-most...

It’s because they’re all in bed with the Government who wants the same thing. Think of them as an extension of the NSA/CIA and the byproduct of the data collection is being able to sell Ads to make money.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#137
post #100

I know that I'm in a bit of a bubble with this one, but I am surprised there is still anyone using Chrome instead of Brave. I get the dependency on Gmail other Google-specific tools, but the built-in ad blocking and Google-free aspects of it made me switch instantly and haven't look back after years.

I was using Firefox, Vivaldi, Zen, and finally got fed up with various issues that Zen was having, so I switched to Waterfox. I am very happy and the browser is very fast; difference is immense.

try ironfox sometime. I think its better for privacy.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#138
This seems somewhat specious - it's also quite possible that they just altered the wording to make it less verbose. Does anyone have access to the link "Learn more about on-device AI"?

If Chrome starts sending data from the browser back to Google, that's going to be a huge compliance issue. If you work for a company that processes customer data in the browser, you're going to need to ban Chrome.

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#139

It seems to me that adding AI to desktop apps and sending the data back to the mothership for processing is an amazing way to collect data from people who, for the most part, would be completely unaware it's even happening. Heck, most of them think the Internet is Chrome.

> adding AI to desktop apps and sending the data back to the mothership for processing is an amazing way to collect data from people Wasn't that the entire point of Windows Recall as well?

[deleted]

Re: Chrome removes claim of On-device Al not sending data to Google Servers

#140

This seems somewhat specious - it's also quite possible that they just altered the wording to make it less verbose. Does anyone have access to the link "Learn more about on-device AI"? If Chrome starts sending data from the browser back to Google, that's going to be a huge compliance issue. If you work for a company that processes customer data in the browser, you're going to need to ban Chrome.

Good idea.
Post reply on HN