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Honestly tired of Europe pretending like they are so high and mighty for flagging tech companies for "privacy violations." Frankly it's insulting to say that ad

Honestly tired of Europe pretending like they are so high and mighty for flagging tech companies for "privacy violations." Frankly it's insulting to say that adults cannot decide for themselves how they want their data used. At this point, users know if you turn on Google tracks you. It is worth it to many for the convenience of quality results Google delivers. If it isn't turn it off. But to say it is Google's fault is nonsense.

AlexandrB 8y ago
This is comical. I try really hard to keep Google from tracking me. I use DDG, FastMail, iOS, have pseudonymous accounts for logging into Youtube. But I know Google still has a pile of information on me through reCaptcha, trackers on various web sites (Google analytics for starters) and services that use the Google Maps API. So I'm left with the nagging sense that I'm still being tracked by Google, no matter what I do. There is no real choice available. Google will track you in some way, your "decisions as an adult" be damned.
- eckza 8y ago
  It doesn't even matter anymore if they can tie your actions to your identity, so long as they can tie your actions to the information that they choose to let you consume.
IanCal 8y ago
GDPR/etc. absolutely deliver on this: > Frankly it's insulting to say that adults cannot decide for themselves how they want their data used All those laws really push is you have to actually let people know what you're using the data for, ask if you can (so that they're able to decide) and make sure you take care of it. It doesn't say you can't decide for yourself, it just makes it an actual decision.
- sidibe 8y ago
  GDPR does not allow you to trade services in return for using your data for ads. A website can't deny you service if you opt out of tracking, so EU has decided that business model should not be viable even if both parties agree.
  - dokov 8y ago
    That is a sane approach, we need to find a balance and currently there is no balance. For instance, you're not allowed to use your preset home address on google maps by google, if tracking is turned off.
    - Betelgeuse90 8y ago
      My Location History and Web & App tracking are off, and I'm still able to use my Home and Work addresses on Google Maps. I see many people here have your same experience, which is pretty odd to me. I live in Israel, maybe there's a connection somehow?
      - lostmyoldone 8y ago
        Interesting, I'm on Android 9 and I can't set home/work without tracking, but it stays off anyway, it's too dark of a pattern for me to stomach. It was possible to set it several Android versions ago, but then I guess they got greedy
  - sbuk 8y ago
    That makes no sense. If both parties legitimately agree, then there is nothing that the GDPR can do about it. The issue arises if one party decides that they no longer wish the other party to hold on to their data anymore, and the other party refuses to delete the information and withdraw services. The unacceptable business model for GDPR is providing a service that requires personal data in order to function. Google making search unavailable to those not providing PII would be in breach of the regulation.
    - sidibe 8y ago
      >The unacceptable business model for GDPR is providing a service that requires personal data in order to function. Google making search unavailable to those not providing PII would be in breach of the regulation. Seems like we are on the same page? This in essence means you can't pay for a service with your data. The service always has to be provided whether you choose to let them use your data or not.
einarfd 8y ago
So how do you expect adults to be able make an informed choice if Google is using deceptive design and misleading information? I'm sure most of the people here, have the know-how and information to make an informed choice. But wouldn't it be nice if people that aren't working in the field or have a degree in STEM could to?
Tepix 8y ago
That's not what they are complaining about. It's the manipulation, dark patterns and lack of information.
checkyoursudo 8y ago
Kind of like, I'm going to stand here punching and if you get hit then it is your own fault? Surely Google shares the responsibility at least? At any rate, saying Google is at fault doesn't seem completely like nonsense.

AlexandrB 8y ago

This is comical. I try really hard to keep Google from tracking me. I use DDG, FastMail, iOS, have pseudonymous accounts for logging into Youtube. But I know Google still has a pile of information on me through reCaptcha, trackers on various web sites (Google analytics for starters) and services that use the Google Maps API. So I'm left with the nagging sense that I'm still being tracked by Google, no matter what I do. There is no real choice available. Google will track you in some way, your "decisions as an adult" be damned.

eckza 8y ago
It doesn't even matter anymore if they can tie your actions to your identity, so long as they can tie your actions to the information that they choose to let you consume.

IanCal 8y ago

GDPR/etc. absolutely deliver on this: > Frankly it's insulting to say that adults cannot decide for themselves how they want their data used All those laws really push is you have to actually let people know what you're using the data for, ask if you can (so that they're able to decide) and make sure you take care of it. It doesn't say you can't decide for yourself, it just makes it an actual decision.

sidibe 8y ago
GDPR does not allow you to trade services in return for using your data for ads. A website can't deny you service if you opt out of tracking, so EU has decided that business model should not be viable even if both parties agree.
- dokov 8y ago
  That is a sane approach, we need to find a balance and currently there is no balance. For instance, you're not allowed to use your preset home address on google maps by google, if tracking is turned off.
  - Betelgeuse90 8y ago
    My Location History and Web & App tracking are off, and I'm still able to use my Home and Work addresses on Google Maps. I see many people here have your same experience, which is pretty odd to me. I live in Israel, maybe there's a connection somehow?
    - lostmyoldone 8y ago
      Interesting, I'm on Android 9 and I can't set home/work without tracking, but it stays off anyway, it's too dark of a pattern for me to stomach. It was possible to set it several Android versions ago, but then I guess they got greedy
- sbuk 8y ago
  That makes no sense. If both parties legitimately agree, then there is nothing that the GDPR can do about it. The issue arises if one party decides that they no longer wish the other party to hold on to their data anymore, and the other party refuses to delete the information and withdraw services. The unacceptable business model for GDPR is providing a service that requires personal data in order to function. Google making search unavailable to those not providing PII would be in breach of the regulation.
  - sidibe 8y ago
    >The unacceptable business model for GDPR is providing a service that requires personal data in order to function. Google making search unavailable to those not providing PII would be in breach of the regulation. Seems like we are on the same page? This in essence means you can't pay for a service with your data. The service always has to be provided whether you choose to let them use your data or not.

einarfd 8y ago

So how do you expect adults to be able make an informed choice if Google is using deceptive design and misleading information? I'm sure most of the people here, have the know-how and information to make an informed choice. But wouldn't it be nice if people that aren't working in the field or have a degree in STEM could to?

Tepix 8y ago

That's not what they are complaining about. It's the manipulation, dark patterns and lack of information.

checkyoursudo 8y ago

Kind of like, I'm going to stand here punching and if you get hit then it is your own fault? Surely Google shares the responsibility at least? At any rate, saying Google is at fault doesn't seem completely like nonsense.