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I don't reckon that is super on-topic unless you are trying to relate this article to the amount of people willing to hand over their personal info via Threads/

I don't reckon that is super on-topic unless you are trying to relate this article to the amount of people willing to hand over their personal info via Threads/Meta. But that seems like an aggressive reach.

tagyro 3y ago
A leopard can't change its spots.
- PhazonJim 3y ago
  Of course not, I just didn't see how the number of Threads users relates to tax sites selling your data.
  - tagyro 3y ago
    Tax sites are selling data because there is demand for that data, in this case from Meta (or Facebook/Instagram/Threads/WhatsApp etc). This is not the first time they (Meta et all) were caught with their hands in the cookie jar and still, over 100 million people thought it's a good idea to give them even more access to their information. It's sad and disheartening to realise, again and again, that the "regular" user couldn't care less. And based on the downvotes I received, neither do the hn users. Besides some imaginary internet points, more importantly, I'm loosing faith we will ever open our eyes and see the cancer that are these data stealing corporations. </rant>
    - PhazonJim 3y ago
      I think you were downvoted because your comment wasn't substantive and perceived to not be on topic. If anyone cares about their data privacy I would expect HN users to be on the frontlines.
      - tagyro 3y ago
        > I think you were downvoted because your comment wasn't substantive and perceived to not be on topic. Could very well be, that's why I prefaced it with "off-topic". > If anyone cares about their data privacy I would expect HN users to be on the frontlines. There's a saying/cliché/myth: expectations (can) lead to disappointment
    - robertlagrant 3y ago
      Is there any evidence that the tax sites are selling data?
      - tagyro 3y ago
        Can't really make out the tone of the question, but I'll try to answer anyway. If by selling we refer strictly to "exchanged data for money", then no, based on the Senate report there is not direct evidence of that. Based on the same report though, the tax sites had business agreements with Facebook to include the pixel and, again, even if they didn't receive any money per-se for that inclusion, they certainly benefited from it (via Lookalike Audience and generally, improved ad targeting). So, does Facebook (and Google etc) sell your data? One can argue that technically they don't. Are they making a profit from having (and using) that data? I'll let you answer this question.
        robertlagrant 3y ago
        Sorry, I wasn't specific. What I mean is, did they sell the data being discussed (i.e. tax return data) to advertisers?

tagyro 3y ago

A leopard can't change its spots.

PhazonJim 3y ago
Of course not, I just didn't see how the number of Threads users relates to tax sites selling your data.
- tagyro 3y ago
  Tax sites are selling data because there is demand for that data, in this case from Meta (or Facebook/Instagram/Threads/WhatsApp etc). This is not the first time they (Meta et all) were caught with their hands in the cookie jar and still, over 100 million people thought it's a good idea to give them even more access to their information. It's sad and disheartening to realise, again and again, that the "regular" user couldn't care less. And based on the downvotes I received, neither do the hn users. Besides some imaginary internet points, more importantly, I'm loosing faith we will ever open our eyes and see the cancer that are these data stealing corporations. </rant>
  - PhazonJim 3y ago
    I think you were downvoted because your comment wasn't substantive and perceived to not be on topic. If anyone cares about their data privacy I would expect HN users to be on the frontlines.
    - tagyro 3y ago
      > I think you were downvoted because your comment wasn't substantive and perceived to not be on topic. Could very well be, that's why I prefaced it with "off-topic". > If anyone cares about their data privacy I would expect HN users to be on the frontlines. There's a saying/cliché/myth: expectations (can) lead to disappointment
  - robertlagrant 3y ago
    Is there any evidence that the tax sites are selling data?
    - tagyro 3y ago
      Can't really make out the tone of the question, but I'll try to answer anyway. If by selling we refer strictly to "exchanged data for money", then no, based on the Senate report there is not direct evidence of that. Based on the same report though, the tax sites had business agreements with Facebook to include the pixel and, again, even if they didn't receive any money per-se for that inclusion, they certainly benefited from it (via Lookalike Audience and generally, improved ad targeting). So, does Facebook (and Google etc) sell your data? One can argue that technically they don't. Are they making a profit from having (and using) that data? I'll let you answer this question.
      - robertlagrant 3y ago
        Sorry, I wasn't specific. What I mean is, did they sell the data being discussed (i.e. tax return data) to advertisers?