CiaraFeb 9, 2025

The only digital subscription service I want is a subscription to a real-life IT person in my real-life local community who will go into my phone and computer once a month to remove all the new AI features and other enshittifying features that companies have sneaked onto my devices against my will since the last time.

Seriously. If AI is so fanbloodytastic, why do they have to sneak it in and hide any off-switches?

Show threadBodhipaksaFeb 9, 2025

@CiaraNi This was two posts below yours in my feed. We’ve collectively spent 819 million hours completing CAPTCHAs.

https://social.marxist.network/@yogthos/113971886111495746

Yogthos (@[email protected])

By 2025, reCAPTCHA is no longer effective against bots but continues to be used due to its tracking capabilities and data collection. It extensively monitors users' cookies, browsing history, and browser environment for advertising and tracking purposes. This system is responsible for wasting 819 million hours of wasted human time and billions of dollars in Google profits. https://boingboing.net/2025/02/07/recaptcha-819-million-hours-of-wasted-human-time-and-billions-of-dollars-google-profit.html #privacy #technology #google

Yuggoth
Show threadCiaraFeb 9, 2025
@bodhipaksa Great example of how we've lost control. I've noticed that a notable amount of my workday now is spent not on actual tasks, but on repeatedly logging in to multiple systems; two-factor-authenticating; catching and correcting AI-caused errors; trying to find ways to turn off new unwanted features that disrupt my work; and trying to find my place and task among all the digital noise on my screen. Multiply that by each staff member and there must be a measurable productivity loss.
Show threadDavip PrestnodFeb 9, 2025
@CiaraNi @bodhipaksa I agree, I work from home rurally and if I need to get a 2FA text I often have to walk around the garden until the good lord of phones delivers the six numbers numerously critical to the same things I am doing on repeat. I find lots of good tips on here for unwanted aiware removal and there is a lot and it is so very well hidden. Some of the captcha is now insane to the point I am no longer human by the time I complete it. I am off to buy some reading lamps for books:-)
Show threadbookworks 💙Feb 9, 2025
@david_preston @CiaraNi @bodhipaksa Not the same issue exactly, but over the last few years (before semi retirement now), the amount of time I’d spend for logins and 2FAs was just silly. Often waiting for client to be available so we could tag team. Then of course I’d respond yes to “remember this device”. And overnight scans would delete the useful cookies. 🤦‍♀️ 🤷🏼‍♀️ One of many reasons that my career lost all of its appeal during and since Covid.
Show threadCiara

@bookworks It's all so infuriating. And unnecessary. It doesn't have to be like this! Most of these things used to work fine.

@david_preston @bodhipaksa

Feb 9, 2025 at 5:02pmWeb
Show threadbookworks 💙Feb 9, 2025
@CiaraNi @david_preston @bodhipaksa Fraud is definitely an issue, but the vendors and banks are putting all of the onus on the customer/user. I can’t tell you how many data breach notices I’ve seen in the last decade or so.
Show threadCiaraFeb 9, 2025

@bookworks I can well believe it. The imbalance in the relationship between user/customer and vendor is scandalous at this point.

@david_preston @bodhipaksa