Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.
much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)
Originally this was a reply to this article about a Windows feature called Recall, but there's a good argument the author's concerns resonate far beyond Windows and Meta to proprietary generally.
Its a bit odd to see an employee of a company that has always had a terrible privacy policy now be suddenly alarmed.
Things have changed. Before, the worst Facebook could do to its critics was ban them and those that they knew. Now Facebook can have ICE turnover your house without a warrant for a troll post. A private company is now working to suppress a specific kind of conversation that questions the judgement and actions of those in power. It's a subtle but very dangerous difference in why a bad EULA may not have previously caused concern but the new one is.
I want to get into Linux and I need a new laptop. I'm happy to go secondhand but I actually want a half decent thing that can play some games, not the cheapest box I can put Linux on and use fake word.
Am I best off just buying a new windows laptop than I can dual boot? Or any other suggestions?
Windows is US$ 139.00. So I figured if I buy a laptop without windows it will be 139 less but I guess manufacturers get windows for like $20 so there are no saving anyway.
Edit:should probably add I'm from to UK I that's relevant
There are a lot of options if you're experienced with Linux and know how to get things to work/are willing to do research. However, if you are new, then you should definitely play it safe to avoid frustration.
My current laptop is an Asus PX13, which is an awesome value and probably the most powerful machine you can buy at its size. Unfortunately, Asus does not support Linux on its laptops at all, and any support that exists comes from volunteers. I'm very happy with my current setup, but there are some rough edges that come from the lack of official support.
imagine how great it feels to say this for like 10-15 years while getting dismissed as a conspiracy nut.
and then having it happen exactly as you said it would.
dismissed as a conspiracy nut.
The government and bad actors use this as a strategy to attack their opponents and control public opinion.
This is one of those cases where you'd really rather have been wrong.
It's called the Cassandra Complex, named after Cassandra/Kassandra of Troy.
I've done OSINT research and that alone converted me into a privacy advocate. Seeing how Alphabet, Meta, and MS have allowed creep to get training data... Whew. It's breathtaking and complicated beyond the ability to explain in 114 characters.
Y'all, we are cooked. Currently. Present tense. If you aren't freaked out already, you're missing about 85% of reality.
Yeah OSINT existing is proof that no backdoor is secure, not even mentioning what you can buy from data brokers, something authorities wouldn't need warrants for.
I didn't care before ai as i was nobody and scams were easy to detect.
Now ai is running those scams and people are trying to use ai to target nobodies like me. All the while ai is stealing my creation and data that companies used to pay you, all while using it to generate money without compensating me.
Switching from Windows to Linux isn't going to block them from monitoring your use of online services. Facebook doesn't even do anything in the OS space.
I think what they are getting at is that Meta does this and they find it likely Microsoft might be doing something similar.
Know what linux doesn't have? Your screen constantly recorded and sent to corporations who use this data to maximise shareholder value. Oh and the company is in a 3rd world dictatorial shithole with little to no user protection or regulations.
"But i disabled recall" Cool. They still use telemetry. You turned it off? Nice job, have you considered using linux so you don't have to do the advanced user bullshit(and if you do, it's way easier and more straightforward?)