CiaraMar 8

I deactivated Google Play on my phone. The electricity company app was the first to be bricked. 'You must update.'

I wrote to them: ’I don’t have Google or Apple. Where else can I update the app?’ Nowhere else, they replied.

I wrote (politely) back: ’I can’t use your app any more then. It’s an odd requirement to make of your customers. A Norlys customer can only access all Norlys services if they are also a customer of one of two specific private for-profit US companies.’

#DanmarkSkifter

Show threadCiaraMar 8

I mentioned that there is a growing grassroots movement in Denmark to boycott the US and to switch away from BigTech. And that it therefore seems like an outdated strategy for them to say: 'If they want to use all our services, the Danish customers of our company here in Denmark must also be a customer of Google or Apple in the USA.'

To support my reference to a growing tendency to move away from Big Tech, I linked to the #DanmarkSkifter website.

https://danmarkskifter.dk/en/

About Danmark Skifter

42% of Danes want to try new alternatives to Big Tech. 68% would like to reduce their screen time. But far fewer act on it. Together, we can change that. What is Danmark Skifter? Danmark Skifter is a national campaign where thousands of Danes take back control of their digital

Danmark Skifter
Show threadCiaraMar 8

To my pleasant surprise, I got a nice and considered response. Paraphrased: They appreciated my feedback as a customer and user of their digital solutions. And they have passed my point about ’a growing focus on alternatives to profit-driven IT solutions’ further up the line internally so that the right department is aware of the trend and requests like mine from customers.

Fair play to Norlys for not just sending a standard or dismissive response.

#DanmarkSkifter

Show threadCiaraMar 8

I don’t think I would have got that response if I hadn’t been able to link to the DanmarkSkifter campaign site. That showed there really is a grassroots movement and that people are actually making the switch away from BigTech.

Tak and thank you to everyone at #DanmarkSkifter for giving us a way to talk about the need for change and the tools to actually make the changes.

I don't know if other countries have an equivalent to the 'Denmark Switches' campaign. I hope so. It's a great initiative.

Show threadThe Polish DispatchMar 8
@CiaraNi interesting story. Does not having a mobile app precludes you entirely from paying your bills or you can continue by making bank wire transfers?
Show threadRay McCarthy
@ThePolishDispatch @CiaraNi
Revolut can't be used without an App.
An Post Banking has limited counter services without the App.
But PayPal and my Credit card work 100% on the website without an App. Both keep advertising the App, which I have never installed.
Also the daft Credit Card people think adding my account to Google Wallet and adding NFC is more secure.
I only use the CC online & the card lives at home. NFC is disabled. I have no intention of using Google pay/wallet. Or having Apple.
Mar 8 at 4:40pmWeb
Show threadCiaraMar 8
@raymaccarthy @ThePolishDispatch People keep recommending Revolut to me, particularly in Ireland, it seems to be common there. Every time I say: nope, not a chance, not another app. I use cash and, when unavoidable, my bank card when I travel.
Show threadRay McCarthyMar 8
@CiaraNi @ThePolishDispatch
I have Revolut with a small float and purely for online where I don't want to use the Credit Card. I don't even have a Revolut plastic card, just a virtual one which saves money.
It's also a horrible app.
Show threadThe Polish DispatchMar 8
@CiaraNi @raymaccarthy When I first heard about Revolut years ago it seemed like an interesting option for some use cases, but then I learned about their questionable work culture...
Show threadRay McCarthyMar 8
@ThePolishDispatch @CiaraNi
Obviously using Revolut to purchase without an app works (virtual card online and optional plastic card for physical shopping. But the App is needed to create the account and manage it or make a payment via IBAN.
Show threadCiaraMar 8
@raymaccarthy @ThePolishDispatch I'm at the Cranky With Big Tech stage where I won't even use a new app to start something and then delete it after setting up. It's time-consuming enough getting away from the ones I already have.
Show threadThe Polish DispatchMar 8
@CiaraNi @raymaccarthy Same! I am very app-allergic. The few I have on my phone have very good reasons to be there.
Show threadCiaraMar 8
@ThePolishDispatch @raymaccarthy I have had only a shortlist of apps on my phone, and that's getting shortened further since I dropped Google Play.
Show threadMartin Vermeer FCDMar 8
@CiaraNi @ThePolishDispatch @raymaccarthy Actually a good idea. It also reduces the attack surface.
Show threadCiaraMar 8
@martinvermeer @ThePolishDispatch @raymaccarthy It's certainly simpler, at any rate