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Tell HN: Make Trusting in You Optional
I was about to install Gramarly in a new mac and I've found there is no way I can use it without giving it full permission to keyboard spoof the host.
Their justification?
"...to make the app offer you functionality across many applications..."
I do not want to trade the security of absolutely everything I type in exchange for very casual convenience that I know I won't use enough to justify the risk.
Offering me the convenience is okay but also offer me a way to use your service in a way that does not make mandatory to trust in you because I don't. And after Microsoft spying on journalist emails, nobody should.
I've deleted the downloaded app without completing the installing process of course.
This applies for all apps and services. Big tech and new startups.
- onemiketwelve 5y agoOk
- compressedgas 5y agoGrammarly is functionally a keylogger. That they might not retain the text sent to their server is a policy decision you have no control over.
- bruce511 5y agoIndeed you have correctly identified the cost and benefits. You determined the cost is too high, as would I, and decided to bail. That's exactly how a free market is supposed to work. You are not the first, and you won't be the last, to come to this conclusion with grammerly, but presumably lots of people choose the other way. Which is fine for them. Again, the free market in action offering us all choices.