-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA256
On Sun, 09 Dec 2018 22:38:32 -0500 Stefan Monnier monnier@iro.umontreal.ca wrote:
In fact, demanding and ensuring complete control over the technologies we use is a pragmatic and entirely justified strategy for anyone who cares about their data, their computing capabilities, and even their quality of life.
I think it goes much further than that: the control Apple/Google/Facebook/... have over a large proportion of devices can give them sufficient leverage to make it possible for them to control you as well even if you don't use their services (e.g. by them arranging to have people elected which in turn introduce legislation or executive orders that impact you).
You might argue we're not there yet, but the Cambridge Analytica affair makes it pretty obvious that it's a real possibility.
Stefan
Everyone remembers CA, but I remember when the local news (ABC,NBC, someone), reported on Obama doing the same thing. I have not watched through all the reporting on youtube to locate the segment (and I did not have internet access back then, so no chance of Conservative talk show/news room poisoning), so I did a quick search: https://nypost.com/2018/03/20/obamas-former-media-director-said-facebook-was... It is wholly cited. https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2018/mar/22/meghan-mccai... As is this one.
Together they paint a picture a lot larger than CA and the Republican party, a lot larger than Obama and the Democratic party.
Here are some more: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/18/07/02/2057256/google-allows-outside-app-de... https://www.wired.com/story/our-minds-have-been-hijacked-by-our-phones-trist... https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/05/smartphone-addiction-sili... A poor excuse: https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/26/opinions/data-company-spying-opinion-schneier... Just how far it has gone: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/18/03/23/1811230/my-cow-game-extracted-your-...
When will the world wake up? It's not just A, it's A and B through Z!
Sincerely, David