Facebook snooped on users' Snapchat traffic in secret project, documents reveal | TechCrunch
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A secret program called "Project Ghostbusters" saw Facebook devise a way to intercept and decrypt the encrypted network traffic of Snapchat users to study their behavior.
@Rose@lemmy.world
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There’s no doubt they have an ulterior motive. The way they’re federating right now is very one-sided and basically tells people they can just post on Threads and get the best of both worlds as they reach both audiences.

However, I see no harm from this to the dedicated Mastodon users who boycott or avoid Meta. They now get to follow Threads accounts without sharing their phone number or other personal information with Meta.

The data collection argument is weak, since everything you post on Mastodon is already public.

haui
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They now get to follow Threads accounts without sharing their phone number or other personal information with Meta.

Great! Going back to an abusive ex but they dont get your phone number this time. But its going to be different this time! I actually had a mother like this. Classic self delusion.

Yeah, not in the fedipact world. We are not going to facilitate this. It is technically impossible for most servers, opens us up to all kinds of exploitation (not data collection but definitely ad display, EEE and the effect of making people used to inflated feeds and likely to switch in case of defederation).

The fun thing is that some people are ignorant enough to think that humans actually have the ability to not follow ads and dark patterns. If that were the case, we wouldnt have an 800 billion $ ad business. Now all the ad companies have to do is make people believe that only the weak get influenced by ads. Like people going against restrictions for corporations. Its dunning kruger in full effect.

Also, we dont have many instance admins generally in the comments. Never having hosted an instance and tended to users needs but being very opinionated about admin decisions is like the people knowing how to coach a football team better than the actual coach. I advise anyone who knows better to host their own instance. Because underappreciating others’ struggle and effort is massively disrespectful imo.

@Rose@lemmy.world
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Are you really comparing following a video game page, a media outlet, favorite musician or actor to an abusive ex? Are you on Twitter or any of Meta’s platforms? If not, how do you get the updates exclusive to social media? What if it’s a website that has no RSS feed?

haui
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I dont know if you’re deliberately ignoring the fact that I am talking about the service provider, not the actions you take on the platform. meta is on record for abusing human rights and facilitating all kinds of crimes against humanity. The comparison is spot on imo.

Edit: I was on most social media until a couple years ago. Some stuff I had to use for my job. So I very much understand the mechanics. I dont know what you mean by updates exclusive to social media. I dont need updates or news and if something goes down, someone will make a post about it on lemmy, mastodon, matrix or peertube.

@Rose@lemmy.world
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I dont need updates or news and if something goes down, someone will make a post about it on lemmy, mastodon, matrix or peertube.

That’s fair, but I don’t think the same is true for most people. There is still a lot missing from the Fediverse in terms of prompt or important updates, especially if related to a matter outside the mainstream. I truly wish everyone had a presence on the Fedi platforms, but that’s just not the reality when even some of the biggest ideological opponents of Musk or Zuckerberg still actively use their platforms, even if their views or practices threaten their very existence.

At the end of the day, the reason even Privacy Guides recommends all the alternative frontends for sites like YouTube is to allow people to stay in the loop without having to share anything with those platforms that collect and sell data. With Nitter dead and Threads being the next big thing after Twitter, the federation could work as a viable frontend and potentially more.

haui
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I‘m not most people, tbf. My autistic brain is wired differently. But the fact that you get thebimportant stuff on the fedi remains imo. FOMO isnt a thing for peeps beyond a certain age and with a certain mindset I believe.

And the only way imo to get „everyone“ to join the fedi is using it, improving it and talking about it. Most people dont contribute to it since they are oblivious to the possibilities. You can write code, open issues, translate, build tools, design stuff, whatever your skillset or just donate. Sadly, most people are more comfortable with a small, underfunded groups of devs who constantly get shit on doing the work while they sit on their high horse and discuss what „should be done“.

I host an instance, write code, donate, open issues, build tools, post and discuss and advocate.

Btw you‘re equating necessity with demand which is a fallacy. If I recommend metadone in case you‘re a heroin addict doesnt mean everyone should use it. Its exactly this short, low hanging fruit thinking that makes people think dealing with meta will surely be fine.

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