this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2023
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Anything closed source with a privacy policy is spyware to Lemmy users.
Why do you read Lemmy, while discounting the opinions and perspectives of other people here?
Because I don't want to live in a bubble? Isn't the whole point of Internet forums to have dissenting opinions? I made that comment to start a discussion or have others reflect on what their perspectives might be, because it really seems like almost all of Lemmy is anti-corporate, pro-hyper-privacy. I'm not pro-corporate by any means, but I really think it's time people reflect and think of reasons why some people may use a platform like Discord, instead of just assuming they are stupid, or otherwise lesser, and like being spied. Because it's just simply hyperbolic and not true. Not everything has to be FOSS, there are use cases for otherwise.
I believe communication should not be a commodity. It should be FOSS. I believe discord is free because it feels like something that provides little to no value, and yet the company has shareholders and must provide value to them. Ridiculous.
That is a fine perspective, and I'm here to learn about yours. However, that does not make it spyware.
Idk what the bar is for spyware but Ill be specific about my belief: discord is basically the most red flags of any social media and also has the facade of a very private and personal space.
You were the one that called it spyware. Your opinion is valid, but my opinion was that Lemmy users tend to exaggerate when talking about closed source software. People are so quick to trash on anything not FOSS, then when asked about sources to back claims up, they are mostly anecdotal and not directly related to the additional claims. Case-in-point, someone asked why you called it spyware, and you responded with the first two points referencing a clauses of a privacy policy that is nearly identical to every social media platform in existence today, and the last point referencing security flaws. The security flaws, in the past, were mostly around cookie stealers (which isn't Discord's fault, literally any browser is at risk if you download malware), and some chromium bugs. A lot of the "hacks" that went around were just scare-pastas that were just made up too. So, no, I don't think there are notable, active flaws that are currently being abused by third-parties as you claim, because Discord has a financial interest to keep their platform secure. If there were active holes being exploited and they just sat around and did nothing, it would upset shareholders, which you noted they did have.
So while you are entitled to your opinion, I do challenge you to consider the other sides of the argument, and consider that closed source software users may have good reasons to use such software. Also do consider that some of the points you made are hyperbolic and that you may be moving the goal posts a bit with your claims.
I wish you well, take care.
Okay, so... I just conceded that I can't define spyware, and you're accusing me of moving the goalposts over it but I think Ive given ground.
I have not ever brought up the privacy policy.
I stand by my point that security flaws are of strategic benefit to the powers that be. We can't assume what shareholders want other than money. Yeah most of the exploits that were publicized were pretty basic and easy to avoid. These exploits are fundamentally discords fault that they were around so long, so easy to employ, etc.
~~Looking into it, I found those malicious scripts on google on the first page... Discord could have issued takedown requests to google and Github. When a company is so large, laziness is malice. Someone said "no, don't fix that."~~ ha that's the scare-pasta you brought up, isn't it? Ah well.
You're asking me to consider that discord is just doing what everyone else is doing and doing what its told by shareholders, who want a perfect and safe platform. You're not asking me to change my mind, but actually make my arguments weaker. To moderate them. No thanks, I find the sharpest point to be more useful than a dull one.
Of course! Hope you're all good, too. Getting on with the replies I'm thinking like... Damn I use discord everyday, I use discord and occasionally talk to people who still use Twitter (X)... Ha. 🤷♀️
Will I ever stop using Discord?