4 ms·

"Access your data for all websites" is just a label, it does not imply what you think in the context of this addon. You can actually read the entire code, it's

by vntok 6y ago

"Access your data for all websites" is just a label, it does not imply what you think in the context of this addon. You can actually read the entire code, it's very concise.

LordDragonfang 6y ago
You'd think the people who read this site would be more internet literate.
- byecomputer 6y ago
  "Download this browser extension so we won't track you without consent" isn't a very good proposition no matter how internet literate you are. I'd argue that the very concept of internet literacy is broken if any of this sounds normal to you.
  - vntok 6y ago
    > "Download this browser extension so we won't track you without consent" isn't a very good proposition no matter how internet literate you are. If said browser extension actually doesn't track you, this is a non-sequitur. Hard to argue an extension tracks you if the single only thing it ever does is print "Hello" on top of every page you visit... still that extension would need to be able to access and modify every site you visit by definition. The exact same thing is happening here.
    - rainforest 6y ago
      The web extension honor system "security" model is broken because that extension that prints Hello at the top of the page might later be modified by a malicious actor to do something else [1]. [1] https://www.reviewgeek.com/45420/over-70-chrome-browser-extensions-removed-for-spying-on-32-million-users/ https://www.reviewgeek.com/45420/over-70-chrome-browser-exte...
    - byecomputer 6y ago
      I suppose, but I don't want to download it, so I won't. Much like I wouldn't try to delete Bonzi Buddy by downloading the Bonzi toolbar. This is just a JavaScript block (for now) but I have no idea what it means internally and having an insignia that reports back to Google everywhere I go sounds kind of like the thing I was trying to avoid in the first place.
ffpip 6y ago
What do you mean by it is just a label? Does it not grant the extension access to all sites I visit, along with passwords and cookies?
tilolebo 6y ago
The current code, though. I suppose it's possible for Google to push new versions of the plugin, so you'd have to review each of them. Does the user even get notified when a new version is pushed? This plugin makes no sense, any informed user who cares enough about privacy to install would go for a more generic blocker anyway, such as uBlock Origin
- input_sh 6y ago
  > Does the user even get notified when a new version is pushed? No, but the browser (in this case Firefox) is supposed to check the updates before deployment, even if only superficially. It's also a double-edged sword, because sometimes there's an important update to the add-on that's stuck waiting to be reviewed, making the add-on useless for a couple of days.
gbh444g 6y ago
This reminded me of one argument I had about a legal contract one company wanted me to sign. Dropping all the legalese, the contract was roughly this: "You have no rights. We have all the rights. This contract is perpetual in eternity." After I had brought up my concerns, their representative used almost the same words that "it does not imply what you think in the context..." I figured that either they were fools or they thought I'm a fool, but in either case I'd better leave the table.
- Gibbon1 6y ago
  See feudalism: Serf, Oath of Fealty > By the Lord before whom this sanctuary is holy, I will to N. be true and faithful, and love all which he loves and shun all which he shuns, according to the laws of God and the order of the world. Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him, on condition that he will hold to me as I shall deserve it, and that he will perform everything as it was in our agreement when I submitted myself to him and chose his will.

by vntok 6y ago

"Access your data for all websites" is just a label, it does not imply what you think in the context of this addon. You can actually read the entire code, it's very concise.

LordDragonfang 6y ago

You'd think the people who read this site would be more internet literate.

byecomputer 6y ago
"Download this browser extension so we won't track you without consent" isn't a very good proposition no matter how internet literate you are. I'd argue that the very concept of internet literacy is broken if any of this sounds normal to you.
- vntok 6y ago
  > "Download this browser extension so we won't track you without consent" isn't a very good proposition no matter how internet literate you are. If said browser extension actually doesn't track you, this is a non-sequitur. Hard to argue an extension tracks you if the single only thing it ever does is print "Hello" on top of every page you visit... still that extension would need to be able to access and modify every site you visit by definition. The exact same thing is happening here.
  - rainforest 6y ago
    The web extension honor system "security" model is broken because that extension that prints Hello at the top of the page might later be modified by a malicious actor to do something else [1]. [1] https://www.reviewgeek.com/45420/over-70-chrome-browser-extensions-removed-for-spying-on-32-million-users/ https://www.reviewgeek.com/45420/over-70-chrome-browser-exte...
  - byecomputer 6y ago
    I suppose, but I don't want to download it, so I won't. Much like I wouldn't try to delete Bonzi Buddy by downloading the Bonzi toolbar. This is just a JavaScript block (for now) but I have no idea what it means internally and having an insignia that reports back to Google everywhere I go sounds kind of like the thing I was trying to avoid in the first place.

ffpip 6y ago

What do you mean by it is just a label? Does it not grant the extension access to all sites I visit, along with passwords and cookies?

tilolebo 6y ago

The current code, though. I suppose it's possible for Google to push new versions of the plugin, so you'd have to review each of them. Does the user even get notified when a new version is pushed? This plugin makes no sense, any informed user who cares enough about privacy to install would go for a more generic blocker anyway, such as uBlock Origin

input_sh 6y ago
> Does the user even get notified when a new version is pushed? No, but the browser (in this case Firefox) is supposed to check the updates before deployment, even if only superficially. It's also a double-edged sword, because sometimes there's an important update to the add-on that's stuck waiting to be reviewed, making the add-on useless for a couple of days.

gbh444g 6y ago

This reminded me of one argument I had about a legal contract one company wanted me to sign. Dropping all the legalese, the contract was roughly this: "You have no rights. We have all the rights. This contract is perpetual in eternity." After I had brought up my concerns, their representative used almost the same words that "it does not imply what you think in the context..." I figured that either they were fools or they thought I'm a fool, but in either case I'd better leave the table.

Gibbon1 6y ago
See feudalism: Serf, Oath of Fealty > By the Lord before whom this sanctuary is holy, I will to N. be true and faithful, and love all which he loves and shun all which he shuns, according to the laws of God and the order of the world. Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him, on condition that he will hold to me as I shall deserve it, and that he will perform everything as it was in our agreement when I submitted myself to him and chose his will.