Mastodawn

AhdaH Jan 11, 2025

Mastodon Migration

If you use #Bluesky be sure to install a tracker blocker.

Thanks to @BlurryBitsPhoto for calling attention to this privacy nightmare: https://pnw.zone/@BlurryBitsPhoto/113804648365475726

Apparently Bluesky ranks among the worst in their experience for trackers.

Here is a comparison of the uBlock Origin filter log for bsky.app versus Mastodon 👀

(Note: had to cut off the bsky.app page as the log just went on and on yielding dozens of blocks and kept streaming in.)

Blurry Bits Photography (@[email protected])

@[email protected] Oh it became pretty evident to me during my short stay on Bluesky On average, after about ten minutes of browsing - uBlock will show 100-150 various trackers being blocked. I've seen the count go over 300. Crap sites like RawStory always ran the numbers up, but in the amount of time browsing - They may be one of the top-100 worst data aggregators out there. They are selling that user base outright.

The PNW Zone

Mastodon Migration Jan 10, 2025

@BlurryBitsPhoto

There have been a number of questions below about how to add uBlock Origin to block trackers like those from #Bluesky.

If you are using Firefox it is very easy. There is a little icon up near the top right that looks like a puzzle piece (Extensions). Click it. Search for uBlock. Click on the uBlock result. Click "Add to Firefox". That's it. You will see a tiny uBlock icon in the top right. You can click on it to enable/disable and to view a real time log of blocked sites.

azteclady has moved Jan 10, 2025

@mastodonmigration ah, yes; for chrome users, is there anything we can do?

Mitch Rose Jan 10, 2025

@herhandsmyhands @mastodonmigration

yes. stop using chrome, google is tracking you too.

but if you must use chrome, instead use Brave (https://brave.com/) which is based on chrome

The browser that puts you first | Brave

Brave, the browser that puts you first. The Brave browser is a fast, private, and secure web browser for PC, Mac, and mobile.

Brave Software Inc

Mastodon Migration Jan 10, 2025

@mrose @herhandsmyhands

This is actually a very good suggestion. If you do not use Firefox, or some other privacy conscious browser, you should consider doing so. Firefox is easy to install from the Mozilla Firefox website: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/

You can run Firefox on the same machine and should find the overall experience better as well as more private.

With Firefox can also install EFF's great tracker blocker Privacy Badger (https://privacybadger.org/) using the same installation method.

Get Firefox browser — Mozilla (US)

Choose from Desktop, iOS, Android, or let us email you a mobile download link.

Mozilla

Mastodon Migration Jan 10, 2025

@mrose @herhandsmyhands

To be clear both Brave and Firefox are superior to Chrome. Do not have experience with Brave, but people swear by it as well.

Octavia Con Amore

pink_moon_and_stars

Succubard's Library Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @mrose @herhandsmyhands except with Brave, you're supporting a creator who is a bigot

Mastodon Migration Jan 11, 2025

@OctaviaConAmore @mrose @herhandsmyhands

Good reason not to use Brave then.

Karis [moved account- see bio]Jan 11, 2025

@OctaviaConAmore @mastodonmigration @mrose @herhandsmyhands Thanks for the heads-up, did a quick search and woah..

Dragon-sided D Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @mrose @herhandsmyhands sorry, FireFox is NOT a privacy-respecting browser!

This team rips all the tracking and adware to distribute the browser FireFox was SUPPOSED to be

https://LibreWolf.net

(Desktop only tho)

LibreWolf Browser

A custom version of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom.

Mastodon Migration Jan 11, 2025

@dragonsidedd @mrose @herhandsmyhands

Thanks for the recommendation

J. J. Zepfanman @disc...Jan 11, 2025

@dragonsidedd
I recommend Waterfox for desktop & Android.
@mastodonmigration @mrose @herhandsmyhands

LisaH Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @[email protected] Does anyone know if there's a blocker that can be installed for Firefox on an iPhone?

Mastodon Migration Jan 11, 2025

@3x10to8mps @BlurryBitsPhoto

Think it should be the same. Can't you just install the uBlock extension

On Android it is the three dots on the top right and select Extensions, then search for uBlock and follow the prompts. Would think it should be the same on iPhone.

Anyone who can confirm?

Vasya Sovari Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @3x10to8mps @BlurryBitsPhoto nope. iOS Firefox has no access to extensions or plugins. It simply is not a thing.

Mastodon Migration Jan 11, 2025

@vasyasovari @3x10to8mps @BlurryBitsPhoto

Oh, thanks for clarifying.

LisaH Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @vasyasovari @[email protected] Oh ok thanks

Mastodon Migration Jan 11, 2025

@3x10to8mps @vasyasovari @BlurryBitsPhoto

What about thr duckduckgo browser as an iPhone alternative?

Vasya Sovari Jan 12, 2025

@mastodonmigration @3x10to8mps @BlurryBitsPhoto ddg appears to have better blocking and privacy by default, but it’s unclear how much so and sync is way more limited. I use ff on iOS coz sync with my Linux box is priceless

LisaH Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @[email protected] Thanks. I can't check right now. Will report back when I do.

Mastodon Migration Jan 11, 2025

@3x10to8mps @BlurryBitsPhoto

Someone just chimed in that the answer is no. Apple does not allow mobile browser extensions. Sorry.

Mastodon Migration Jan 11, 2025

@3x10to8mps @BlurryBitsPhoto

Some other comments here about the duckduckgo browser for iPhone. That might be an option?

Anyone know anything about this?

Patrick Vanhoucke Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @[email protected] But how would installing something in your local browser prevent a tracker from tracking your feed?

Tim Finnerty Jan 10, 2025

@mastodonmigration @BlurryBitsPhoto I don't know if this is related, but I find that the #Bluesky app transmits an enormous amount of data on my #Android phone. Much more than any other app and I am not a heavy user (I prefer #Mastodon). Anyone have similar observations or explanations?

Mastodon Migration Jan 10, 2025

@TimFinnerty @BlurryBitsPhoto

Not an expert, but perhaps that is consistent with, or in part due to, the tracking behavior. Even with a static page, the tracker block log kept updating with additional block notices.

azteclady has moved Jan 10, 2025

@mastodonmigration as someone who doesn't know anything about technology, can you recommend one and explain how it works?

@stevewfolds Jan 10, 2025

@herhandsmyhands @mastodonmigration
What Bluesky app has unblock?

@stevewfolds Jan 10, 2025

@herhandsmyhands @mastodonmigration
“ublock”

Mastodon Migration Jan 10, 2025

@stevewfolds @herhandsmyhands

Thanks for the question. See instructions for adding uBlock to Firefox above ☝️

@stevewfolds Jan 10, 2025

@mastodonmigration @herhandsmyhands Thank you. I’ve been using a phone app & will change my access to browser.

Mastodon Migration Jan 10, 2025

@herhandsmyhands

Tracker blockers simply block requests from these sites for your personal information.

See instructions for how to add uBlock Origin to Firefox above ☝️

If you do not use Firefox, or some other privacy conscious browser, perhaps you should consider doing so. Firefox is very easy to install from the Mozilla Firefox website: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/

You can also install EFF's great tracker blocker Privacy Badger (https://privacybadger.org/) using the same installation method.

Get Firefox browser — Mozilla (US)

Choose from Desktop, iOS, Android, or let us email you a mobile download link.

Mozilla

azteclady has moved Jan 10, 2025

@mastodonmigration I appreciate the emphasis on "don't use chrome", but it doesn't take into account people who can't afford better (the cheaper chromebooks do not let you install linux, so chrome it is), or need something extra easy to use.

Mastodon Migration Jan 10, 2025

@herhandsmyhands

Hmmm... If you are using a "chromebook" then not sure what to tell you. Have you tried going to the Mozilla website and seeing what might be available for your machine?

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/

Mozilla - Internet for people, not profit (US)

We’re working to put control of the internet back in the hands of the people using it.

Mozilla

azteclady has moved Jan 10, 2025

@mastodonmigration Thank you, I appreciate this; privacy badger from the EFF is now installed.

Mastodon Migration Jan 10, 2025

@herhandsmyhands

Actually, try this:

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browsers/chromebook/

Get Firefox Browser for Chromebook

So you’ve got a Chromebook — now it’s time to get the independent, automatically private Firefox Browser to protect your personal data.

Mozilla

Rafe Culpin Jan 10, 2025

@mastodonmigration @BlurryBitsPhoto 'dozens'? Over 4,000 here.

Mastodon Migration Jan 10, 2025

@RafeCulpin @BlurryBitsPhoto

Yikes.

Melroy van den Berg Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @BlurryBitsPhoto another good reason to stay far far away from bluesky and alike.

Kaito Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @BlurryBitsPhoto yikes 😳

hammer Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @BlurryBitsPhoto better yet, just don't join Bluesky 😁

PersonalEscrito Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @[email protected] @gutocarvalho

Waitman Gobble Jan 11, 2025

You should warn Bluesky users and delete the app.

Daniel Blake Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @BlurryBitsPhoto Hmm. Maybe just don’t use BS?

网上邻居 Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @BlurryBitsPhoto 😨

@mastodonmigration @BlurryBitsPhoto

Se usas #Bluesky asegúrate de instalar un bloqueador de rastrexadores.

Grazas a @BlurryBitsPhoto por chamar a atención sobre este pesadelo de privacidade: https://pnw.zone/@BlurryBitsPhoto/113804648365475726

Ao parecer, Bluesky está entre os peores da súa experiencia para rastrxeadores.

Aquí tes unha comparación do rexistro de filtros de uBlock Origin para bsky.app fronte a Mastodon 👀

(Nota: tivo que cortar a páxina mentres o rexistro seguía medrando.)

Blurry Bits Photography (@[email protected])

@[email protected] Oh it became pretty evident to me during my short stay on Bluesky On average, after about ten minutes of browsing - uBlock will show 100-150 various trackers being blocked. I've seen the count go over 300. Crap sites like RawStory always ran the numbers up, but in the amount of time browsing - They may be one of the top-100 worst data aggregators out there. They are selling that user base outright.

The PNW Zone

Tim Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @BlurryBitsPhoto @sozialismus.ch @madspetterson.bsky.social

Stadler BLÅHAJ Evo

@ Revision26 Jan 11, 2025

@mastodonmigration @BlurryBitsPhoto if you're using bluesky,

apm77 Jan 12, 2025

@mastodonmigration Something I just discovered about Bluesky: if Bluesky goes down (which it just did), all your open Bluesky tabs go down, even if you don't manually refresh them, they get replaced with an "upstream service unreachable" message.

KiltJoy Jan 13, 2025

@mastodonmigration @apm77 It maybe your browser refreshing tabs.
In chrome "Settings -> performance"
Memory Saver will reload a previously idle tab when returning focus to it.
Prevent a tab going idle with "Always keep these sites active", adding specific sites.

Fla Jan 22, 2025

@mastodonmigration @[email protected] but can you actually explain what is wrong with events.bsky.app ? What is sent there, what is recorded, what is done with it?

Mastodon Migration Jan 22, 2025

@fla @BlurryBitsPhoto

Nope. No idea, and don't care to know. It should not be our job to identify what tracking is OK and what is not. No tracking at all is what we should be requiring.

Fla Jan 22, 2025

@mastodonmigration @[email protected] but what makes you think this is tracking in the first place? What do you call tracking?

Fla Jan 22, 2025

@mastodonmigration @[email protected]

I mean, don't get me wrong, I think we can trust the people behind @ublockorigin but I'm still curious about what made them consider it tracking.

Börsposten Feb 7

@mastodonmigration Of course Mastodon is blank, it doesn´t have a realtime layer.