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Google Removed ClearURLs Extension from Chrome Web Store

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Re: Google Removed ClearURLs Extension from Chrome Web Store

#261

Post by int_19h »

qwerty456127 wrote: post #50
Mordisquitos wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do not understand what you mean with "No problem as long as it's available elsewhere" . Are you implying that we should just treat Google's decisions as inscrutable facts of nature that we must accept with resignation, and just be glad that the extension is still available somewhere?

Perhaps. Because Google is not Apple and does not prevent us from side-loading anything, still gives us a great browser and a great OS for free. In fact we, the advanced privacy-concerned users, are not interested in such extensions being on the store front and becoming too popular. Let Google use simple methods to track people who don't care about being tracked (many people who I tell about tracking really don't car…

If "everybody was happy", its userbase wouldn't have grown.

Re: Google Removed ClearURLs Extension from Chrome Web Store

#262

Post by jiofih »

johnvaluk wrote: post #254
BunsanSpace wrote: post #220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A static blog that takes no user input/data doesn't need HTTPS. Here's a good lecture about why HTTPS everywhere isn't as important as people think. http://n-gate.com/software/2017/07/12/0/

I think authors want to ensure their writings are not edited, censored or otherwise tampered with while in transit to the reader. HTTPS isn't perfect, but this is one of the benefits it provides. It isn't only about encryption or privacy.

The NSA (and who knows who else) has the ability to tamper with TLS encrypted traffic, so that’s a moot point. Also easily defeated in the client by adding a rogue proxy and CA.

Re: Google Removed ClearURLs Extension from Chrome Web Store

#263

Post by shermheadryder »

Const-me wrote: post #195
shermheadryder wrote: post #186

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Not gonna switch hosting nor pay 2x more for it just to please Google. Let's not pretend that HTTPS only exists to please Google. It has very real benefits for your users.

My web site has no comments or other user-generated content, runs no CMS, uses no cookies, collects no data except standard web server logs, hosts no executables, and has no secret nor security sensitive content.

It doesn’t matter much what your web site has today. If it’s available over HTTP an attacker can inject whatever it wants into the page without too much trouble at all.

Re: Google Removed ClearURLs Extension from Chrome Web Store

#264

Post by jaywalk »

londons_explore wrote: post #153

I don't understand why Google doesn't hire a third party to do moderation on their platforms. Google could write and publish the rules, and then get a third party to decide if each app/comment/video meets the rules or not. There could even be the option to appeal to a real court if you disagree with the third party. Google still gets effective veto since they could change the rules anytime, but it would still be a bi…

You're making the massive assumption that Google cares and wants to change the status quo they've established. There is no evidence of this being the case.

Re: Google Removed ClearURLs Extension from Chrome Web Store

#265

Post by jaywalk »

blunte wrote: post #83
baybal2 wrote: post #30

This is what Googlers did to AdNauseam too

I think it’s important to be specific. Probably it was not who we think of when we say “googlers”, but rather it was upper management within Google. Frankly, I see two googles: the people who make a lot of decent or great stuff, and the upper decision makers who act against the interests of the other group and the consumers.

"Googlers" are happy to take a stand on politically-relevant topics that can earn them Virtue Points, while at the same time staying perfectly quiet on stuff like this that actually harms the people using their product.

Re: Google Removed ClearURLs Extension from Chrome Web Store

#266

Post by userbinator »

dessant wrote: post #37

I'd love to use ClearURLs, though last I checked it had a major flaw: it allows arbitrary code execution by the provider of the filter list. Among other things, it can redirect script URLs to arbitrary sources, and the filter list is periodically updated from a GitLab page, which enables the filter list provider to perform a targeted attack by serving a malicious filter list to a specific device. The only filter list…

Security paranoia is ruining the independent Internet and putting more power in the hands of companies like Google.

Re: Google Removed ClearURLs Extension from Chrome Web Store

#268

Post by oblio »

qwerty456127 wrote: post #24
oblio wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My guess? Better supported by many sites, both on the internet and internal company sites. Faster for some things. And of course, inertia. Studies have shown that people just don't change defaults, as a rule. Only a small minority of people change them.

> My guess? Better supported by many sites, No difference with real sites. A developer may notice some difference in latest features support (not always in favor of Chrome). > Faster for some things. If your PC is new and fast. Otherwise it's much faster for most of the things.

> No difference with real sites. A developer may notice some difference in latest features support (not always in favor of Chrome).

I use Firefox (desktop and mobile/Android). You sound like a Firefox evangelist. There are real site where Firefox is buggy or slow. Youtube is one of them. I know it's not technically their fault, but the average user can't fix the site. They can (and do) change their browser. So they use Chrome.

Re: Google Removed ClearURLs Extension from Chrome Web Store

#269

Post by ORioN63 »

userbinator wrote: post #266
dessant wrote: post #37

I'd love to use ClearURLs, though last I checked it had a major flaw: it allows arbitrary code execution by the provider of the filter list. Among other things, it can redirect script URLs to arbitrary sources, and the filter list is periodically updated from a GitLab page, which enables the filter list provider to perform a targeted attack by serving a malicious filter list to a specific device. The only filter list…

Security paranoia is ruining the independent Internet and putting more power in the hands of companies like Google.

My hypothesis:

Any vulnerability-prone system, will either fade away or end up with a centralized arbiter quite inevitably.

Re: Google Removed ClearURLs Extension from Chrome Web Store

#270

Post by realusername »

fennecfoxen wrote: post #227
TeMPOraL wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The general solution is to do a little of both. The job of the regulators isn't to just kill off specific companies that got too powerful - it's to create conditions where disruption is possible. An important way to do this is to prevent big players from abusing their power to make themselves nearly-impossible to disrupt.

> The job of the regulators isn't to just kill off specific companies that got too powerful - it's to create conditions where disruption is possible. Broadly speaking, the big regulations tend to create conditions where disruption is harder. Regulatory compliance is often a substantial investment, and a rather big one, thus a barrier to entry; it's a lot easier for big, profitable Google to hire a team of regulatory…

That's exactly why we don't need "regulatory compliance" but straight up break up monopolies into multiple independent companies like what should be done in this case here.
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