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> Germany is a great country for stuff like this. They have a relatively high share of Linux users, OpenStreetMap usage, etc. I feel like they're very critical
by 482794793792894 9y ago
> Germany is a great country for stuff like this. They have a relatively high share of Linux users, OpenStreetMap usage, etc. I feel like they're very critical towards their own country and don't take things for granted (not the "we're so proud of our country" idea).
This is especially also the case, because of the post-WWII history of East Germany. The Stasi managed to subdue the entire population, mainly with surveillance methods.
And this was before the internet. When they still had to actually go out and infiltrate people's homes in order to place down bugs (microphones).
The worst part about this for me, is that this is not just an unfortunate fate that Germans in particular have to be worrisome about. The only reason other nations are less worried, is because they're collectively less aware of this having happened, of it being entirely possible for this to happen, again.
- ucaetano 9y ago> When they still had to actually go out and infiltrate people's homes in order to place down bugs (microphones). Actually it was far easier than that: 1 in every 6 Eastern Germans was knowingly or not, voluntarily or not, a Stasi informant.
- disiplus 9y agotbh i think that germany is lagging in digital, its a shift that if they dont take right now could cost them long term. something that event merkel commented recently. mobile internet is very expensive, 20 eur for 5gb, there is almost no street view, blocking content on youtube. high percentage of german startups are just copying ( famous rocket internet ). that are just some examples, that are not so great starting point to become leader in digital.
- marenkay 9y agoI have to agree. Add a lot of stock listed large companies which have not invested in IT and infrastructure for the past two decades apart from compliance enforced maintenance and Germany is basically 3rd world... startups also are lacking value. Looking at Berlin you kind of say „oh this is a copy of ...“ most of the time.
- kuschku 9y agoAnd this is why Germany is the only country where, due to privacy reasons, people still use Firefox as the most used desktop browser. But considering that Firefox now also spies on your entire browsing history with CliqZ, not even they are trustworthy anymore. StaSiFox, ffs.