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Data brokers are a part of big tech as much as apple and Netflix are. Apple has a more aggressive stance than most companies but even they are pathetically far

Data brokers are a part of big tech as much as apple and Netflix are. Apple has a more aggressive stance than most companies but even they are pathetically far from being privacy first. I'm a big fan of the proposals to treat all used data as radioactive waste that if mishandled, even accidentally, can destroy entire companies. It is absurd that we're even having these conversations. We're one dictator away from another genocide on the soil of a world leader. China notwithstanding. These vast databases can be misused to quickly indentured entire minority populations in countries. We've gotten a taste of this under trump with the "illegals". If we're unfortunate to find ourselves under an actual dictator trump will pale in comparison. By excising all customer data from companies we prevent countless attacks, and make many other attacks far harder.

caconym_ 7y ago
I agree with you on the "radioactive waste" aspect, but I put "big tech" in quotes to suggest the sense in which lay people tend to interpret the phrase. I'm fine if there is an angry public response to all of it, but if we've going to be selective (only angry at the sexy companies with consumer-facing products) then IMO our selection to date has been suboptimal wrt. effective protection of consumers.
- Red_Leaves_Flyy 7y ago
  We're in agreement! Unfortunately, I think it's going to take wholesale misuse of the data of large swathes of the population that dwarfs the reach of Equifax and the sensitivity of ashley Madison while effecting at least a couple ultra wealthy public names, to get sane consumer data protection laws with teeth and enforcement.
Hnrobert42 7y ago
As Apple has prioritized privacy, I have migrated my stuff towards them. If they are pathetically far from being privacy first, I would like to know how so. Prioritizing user convenience over user privacy is driven by a profit motive, sure. But that’s different than Google’s ecosystem which prioritizes monetization of user data over user privacy. So, can anyone expand on where Apple sacrifices user privacy (other than for user convenience)?

caconym_ 7y ago

I agree with you on the "radioactive waste" aspect, but I put "big tech" in quotes to suggest the sense in which lay people tend to interpret the phrase. I'm fine if there is an angry public response to all of it, but if we've going to be selective (only angry at the sexy companies with consumer-facing products) then IMO our selection to date has been suboptimal wrt. effective protection of consumers.

Red_Leaves_Flyy 7y ago
We're in agreement! Unfortunately, I think it's going to take wholesale misuse of the data of large swathes of the population that dwarfs the reach of Equifax and the sensitivity of ashley Madison while effecting at least a couple ultra wealthy public names, to get sane consumer data protection laws with teeth and enforcement.

Hnrobert42 7y ago

As Apple has prioritized privacy, I have migrated my stuff towards them. If they are pathetically far from being privacy first, I would like to know how so. Prioritizing user convenience over user privacy is driven by a profit motive, sure. But that’s different than Google’s ecosystem which prioritizes monetization of user data over user privacy. So, can anyone expand on where Apple sacrifices user privacy (other than for user convenience)?