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It can still be mined. That's the crux of the problem is the mining. If you can mine it, then you can use that data to target ads, you can use it for law enforc
by bilbo0s 8y ago
It can still be mined. That's the crux of the problem is the mining. If you can mine it, then you can use that data to target ads, you can use it for law enforcement purposes, you can use it to stifle dissent, etc etc etc. Could also use the mined data for a myriad number of good things as well. Really is just up to the miner.
Point is, it's the mining that lays the foundation for the dangers, and there is little that prevents facebook, or twitter, or whatever entity that wants to mine mastodon instances from doing so.
- chongli 8y agoWith Mastodon you can run your own server, so you can make it invite-only and disallow data miners from joining.
- anigbrowl 8y agoThe more secure and exclusive your server the less utility it provides to the network at large. Great for privacy, useless if you wish to connect with a broader community. Also assumes that both internal and external security are solid. They're probably not, and covert mining isn't that hard.
- chongli 8y agowish to connect with a broader community This is no longer in the realm of technical problems. If you want to connect with a "broader community" (i.e. people you don't know) then you don't get privacy. To say you do want privacy while also getting to connect with strangers is to insist upon the trustworthiness of strangers.
- anigbrowl 8y agoYes, I'm inclined to agree. Seems like this is the only way to instil awareness in people what the tradeoffs are.