John GruberJul 6, 2023

Threads is the most fun, most interesting new product of the year, and no one in the E.U. can use it, or will be able to use it anytime soon, because their own elected officials passed a law that effectively bans it.

Nice job. Have fun over here in the library.

Show threadNoHomersJul 6, 2023
@gruber Meta product is fun? šŸ¤” I suppose if giving away all your data is "fun" as you chat with boring people and brands.
Show threadJohn Gruber
@NoHomers You're not "giving away" anything other than what you type, which is the same as you're doing here.
Jul 7, 2023 at 12:13amIvory for Mac
Show threadMxhradJul 7, 2023

@gruber @NoHomers

This is absolutely not true.

Show threadPatryk ChojeckiJul 7, 2023
@gruber @NoHomers this is false
Show threadRoelant (EN)Jul 7, 2023

@cherrysandwich And that's just what they *tell* you

I'm shocked to see you actually seem to believe this @gruber. But perhaps you are really blissfully unaware, so giving you the benefit of the doubt: please review the attached image that @kreig helpfully posted.* In just a few hours his phone blocked over 200 data tracking attempts form Threads:

Ā« These include things like "headphone status" and "screen density." Ā»

Cc: @NoHomers

*) See: https://writing.exchange/@kreig/110664764474921792

Kreig Durham (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 image The Zuck suck is in full swing. In the few short hours since I started using #Threads, #DuckDuckGo has already blocked over 200 data tracking attempts. These include things like "headphone status" and "screen density." EDIT for clarity: The 200+ attempts *may* have been overcounted as DDG hadn't tooled their VPN for Threads yet. #DataPrivacy #Meta #ThreadsApp EDIT: To anyone who is using this post to bash anyone and everyone who is using Threads, please read this https://writing.exchange/@kreig/110673494921536371

Writing Exchange
Show threadSebastien šŸŒ šŸ‡µšŸ‡øšŸ‡ŗšŸ‡¦ ļ£æJul 7, 2023
@roelant that's why you need to be able to choose very advanced gatekeepers šŸ¤·šŸ½ā€ā™‚ļø @cherrysandwich @gruber @kreig @NoHomers
Show threadnoodlejetski Jul 7, 2023
@gruber I'm fairly sure my Mastodon client doesn't record what buttons I click, what profiles do I open, and whose posts do I spend time reading the longest in order to profile me and serve me ads, or in order to try and alter my mood, the way the small company behind Threads has been doing.
@NoHomers
Show threadComrade WeezJul 7, 2023
@gruber 'what you type' is otherwise known as 'content' which drives traffic to the site. It may also contain personal information. You are dreadfully naĆÆve. @NoHomers
Show threadNMDoernerJul 7, 2023

@gruber @NoHomers

That is so wrong in so many ways, and you know it, John. They collect so much more data.

But that ignorance is part of the problem, actually...

Show threadRonJul 7, 2023
@cdfinder @gruber @NoHomers we must remember he needs advertisers and reach for his platform. Thatā€™s all this is about - he needs audience for $$$
Show threadMatthias BucheticsJul 7, 2023
@gruber @NoHomers if that would be the case, Threads would have launched in the EU without an issue.
Show threadJohnJul 7, 2023
@gruber @NoHomers oh dear šŸ˜…
Show threadCamilo Bravo Jul 13, 2023
@gruber WAT
Show threadJohn GruberJul 13, 2023
@cambraca I'm totally serious. What exactly do you think Threads can glean about users other than what they're posting/doing in the app?
Show threadCamilo Bravo Jul 13, 2023
@gruber what about the ridiculously long list of app permissions, which includes health data, "sensitive info", "browsing history" and my personal favorite: "other data"?
Show threadManuel Alonso-MartinezJul 14, 2023
@cambraca Where is that list of app permissions? I need to see it!
Show threadAndreas LanjerudJul 15, 2023
@cambraca @gruber I don't understand why we should be concerned that American data from Tiktok etc are stored on Chinese servers, while at the same time it shouldn't be an issue that European data is stored in American servers.
Show threadAustenJul 13, 2023

@gruber

I canā€™t help but cry hypocrisy here.

Not that long ago you were calling for Facebook to be broken up over privacy concerns.

https://daringfireball.net/linked/2019/01/18/facebook-ftc-fine

Youā€™ve also posted a lot of articles rightly calling out Facebooks privacy issues.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=site:daringfireball.net+Facebook+privacy&ia=web

Now Meta bring out something interesting and privacy concerns are brushed off with disregard.

Sorry, Even a ā€˜Record-Settingā€™ Fine Isnā€™t Going to Cut It

Link to: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/01/18/us-regulators-have-met-discuss-imposing-record-setting-fine-against-facebook-some-its-privacy-violations/?utm_term=.e698d745683b

Daring Fireball
Show threadLauren Wu (Kayna on TFT)Jul 30, 2023

@Austen @huey @gruber Ars Technica had great article summarizing & comparing the privacy policies of Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon etc.

The section on Threads is yikes

https://www.wired.com/story/meta-twitter-threads-bluesky-spill-hive-mastodon-privacy-comparison/

How Threads' Privacy Policy Compares to Twitter's (and Its Rivals')

Hereā€™s what personal data is collected by Metaā€™s Threads, as well as by Twitter, Bluesky, Mastodon, Spill, and Hive Social.

WIRED
Show threadgregatron5Jul 15, 2023
@gruber @cambraca Iā€™m confused. Why do you keep saying the EU banned Threads? The EU didnā€™t pass laws banning Threads, it passed laws protecting privacy and personal data. That Meta would rather not enter the EU than offer fairly primitive data and privacy protections should be a warning about the service being overly invasive, not an admonition of the EU trying to protect its citizens.