Mastodawn

Xodium (moving, check bio)Mar 28, 2023

Not even putting a CW on this because it's important and everyone needs to see it. Even if you don't like TikTok, please, please do your due diligence and read up on the RESTRICT Act, because that's the bill being pitched as the "ban TikTok" bill, and hoo boy this makes SOPA and PIPA look like child's play. It's bad, and it deserves mass, unanimous rejection. Tell your congressperson. Tell your friends. Tell anyone who will listen. We need to fight this, and hard.

Xodium (moving, check bio)

So many people I've casually observed have seen the news and are onboard with a TikTok ban because they hate it so much, not realizing that this bill has dire, far-reaching consequences that affect more than just TikTok.

Which is why I say: Please, please put your blind hatred aside and realize what's being done here, because this affects so much more than TikTok.

RetroDevDaemon Mar 28, 2023

@xodium What exactly does it do besides potentially block apps from release by current "adversaries"?

Xodium (moving, check bio)Mar 28, 2023

@retrodev That alone is dangerous enough, but it also allows government access to private infrastructure (think: your home network) and levies heavy fines if you're caught using a VPN or similar methods to try and circumvent the ban. Like "this will ruin your life" levels of money.

haya Mar 30, 2023

@xodium @retrodev I am sorry but when I saw Tucker Carlson, Josh Hawley furiously attacking the bill I kind of automatically think the bill is fine. Could you point to the text where did it say all this vpn stuff? Thanks.

haya Mar 30, 2023

@xodium @retrodev OK I suppose you are talking abt this: “internet- or network-enabled sensors, webcams, end-point surveillance or monitoring devices, modems and home networking devices if greater than 1,000,000 units have been sold to persons in the United States at any point during the year period preceding the date on which the covered transaction is referred…..”. I think this is great. Do not buy stuff made in China. Seems fair.

haya Mar 30, 2023

@xodium @retrodev all right I think it is better to punish the companies who sell Chinese stuff. Not punish individuals who use the stuff.

Nate Bowling (نيت بولينج)Mar 30, 2023

@xodium Agreed, an unfortunate aspect of the RESTRICT Act is that it has bipartisan support.

Mr. Warner, Mr. Thune, Ms. Baldwin, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Moran, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Sullivan, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Collins, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Romney, and Mrs. Capito.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/686/text?s=1&r=15

Xodium (moving, check bio)Mar 30, 2023

@natebowling that’s what makes this so scary. People who shouldn’t be supporting it actually are. It’s so crazy.

Fuzz (@owenpeery on Twitter)Mar 30, 2023

@natebowling @xodium how much of that bipartisan support would evaporate if we banned ALL surveillance on apps built in ANY country? Idgaf Abt Tik Tok, all apps and companies need to stop gathering our info and selling it, that's a bill I could get behind

Ruby Tails > FWA Mar 30, 2023

@xodium Already sent emails to my representatives, this is a huge deal that needs more scrutiny by everyone.

I'm admittedly in that camp that wants TikTok gone, but I had to walk away from my desk to recompose myself after reading the bill in question. I'm both livid and appalled that the feds are trying to pull this, and all under the guise of "banning TikTok", knowing most people won't look into it further...

Rosa Apr 4, 2023

@foxyloon @xodium
Curious
Do you want FB & Insta gone?

Ruby Tails > FWA Apr 9, 2023

@Rosa @xodium Speaking for myself, yes. I’m of the opinion that all the major centralized social media platforms need to go, not just those mentioned.

One could argue that goes against free speech, but they’re huge corporate entities that can be bought out and controlled by those willing to influence what is presented on those platforms. At least a decentralized platform like Masto is more resistant to such corporate influence/censorship.

Rosa Apr 9, 2023

@foxyloon @xodium

Isn't that more the fault of allowing media and entertainment monopolies to exist in the first place?

Ruby Tails > FWA Apr 9, 2023

@Rosa @xodium In a sense, yes.

There is a conspiracy theory that the media outlets in the US were bought out and consolidated by CIA shell corporations a very long time ago. What we see in the news is a carefully orchestrated attempt at distracting the people from real issues by encouraging infighting and deliberately pushing misinformation. The internet is the next thing to control, and the centralized social media platforms have been their most recent target.

Rosa Apr 9, 2023

@foxyloon @xodium
Does that include Rupert Murdoch?
I have a very hard time with conspiracy theories.
So are you saying the advent of the internet is not what made independent newspapers go under all over this country in The past 25 years?

Ruby Tails > FWA Apr 9, 2023

@Rosa @xodium Can’t say who’s involved for sure, honestly. You should rightfully be cautious of conspiracy theories, but they usually have a grain of truth to them. Takes a lot of digging and due diligence to weed out the misinformation, but a common theme can be found.

That’s the prevailing narrative that’s told, but it’s difficult to say if that’s the complete truth. What I know for sure is that the old internet allowed information to freely spread without hindrance.

Rosa Apr 9, 2023

@foxyloon @xodium

If that's true, why would we need the Restrict Act to restrict something that's already restricted by our government?
Grains of truth. Well there are a lot of conspiracy theories, which I see as nothing more than vehicles of disinformation and misdirection.
Taking them all away doesn't solve any problems.
But breaking up monopolies does. More competition, not regulated monopolies, benefits everyone, imo.

Ruby Tails > FWA Apr 9, 2023

@Rosa @xodium Exactly! The RESTRICT act is a straw man to strip away more freedoms than anything.
Quite true, but the same could be said about information from mainstream/social media as well. It takes critical thinking and research to find the real truth, not just accepting a headline at face value.
I agree. Especially on breaking up monopolies. I’m not for a government ban on social media platforms any longer, but I’d still encourage people not to use them either.

Rosa Apr 9, 2023

@foxyloon @xodium
Yeah I prefer independent papers and alternative media sources.
Now, had you said BlackRock instead of CIA, You would have gotten no argument. ;)

James Bilsbrough Apr 2, 2023

@xodium the bit that scares me is the concept of access to in-home cameras.

What does that mean for privacy and how is that access safeguarded.