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This feature is basically just a shortcut to copy paste text in the app. I actually wouldn't mind having this in my mobile browser, assuming it works well.

by Jyaif 2y ago

barryvan 2y ago
Not quite, though. It's a shortcut to copy-and-paste text into a _Google_ app. For example, this wouldn't let you use Apple Maps or TripAdvisor or whatever other system you may prefer, instead funnelling you into Google's ecosystem. It's an attempt to bypass competitors hidden under by a façade of convenience.
- Jyaif 2y ago
  I was careful to say "into _the_ app". That being said I agree, if there's one criticism that is valid it's that this app should allow you to choose your providers. Anybody knows if it already does?
soraminazuki 2y ago
This is nothing at all like copy and paste. It's a MITM attack. With copy and paste, the user is in control. With this attack, only Google is in control. Not the user, not even the website owner, but an ad company. The plain fact is that Google is injecting its own content at its own discretion while disguising it to make it look like it's the website owner that did it. What would you think if I randomly injected my own promotional content in your HN comments in a way that's indistinguishable from your own writing? A few, if any, people on this site might not mind, but the overwhelming majority will.
- Jyaif 2y ago
  When you think about it, the goal of browsers is to MITM the data in order to present it in a way that is helpful to the users. > What would you think if I randomly injected my own promotional content in your HN comments in a way that's indistinguishable from your own writing It's a simplification, but in short if you create a bad browser, people won't use it.
- handfuloflight 2y ago
  > With this attack, only Google is in control. Not the user, not even the website owner, but an ad company. You, as a website owner, can opt out via: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1h9I0TbN-H_1e85CqXYb1ng7rQfg2ijfODc1sBxPBd08/viewform?edit_requested=true https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1h9I0TbN-H_1e85CqXYb1ng7rQfg... > What would you think if I randomly injected my own promotional content in your HN comments in a way that's indistinguishable from your own writing? Through what vector, the Unofficial Hacker News for iOS app that you maintain? Because that's the correct analogy here. Also stating 'promotional content' is being disingenuous to the type of Google content states it will surface through these links, see my other comment on this thread. I'm not in support of what Google is doing but I think we should be fair in our assessment and especially in our presentation of our assessment to others.
  - soraminazuki 2y ago
    > You, as a website owner, can opt out via In other words, Google dictates the terms. I was forcibly opted in to this without my knowledge. To say no to this, I need a Google account and agree to their terms of service. How is anyone but Google in control here? > Through what vector, the Unofficial Hacker News for iOS app that you maintain? Through a browser, ISP, or unlawful access to HN servers. Doesn't matter. It's shady to disguise your own content as someone else's work. > Also stating 'promotional content' is being disingenuous to the type of Google content states it will surface through these links, see my other comment on this thread. I stand by my words. Please see the reply to your other comment.
  - SahAssar 2y ago
    Only being able to opt-out by having the page registered in Google Search Console is pretty awful. I shouldn't have to use a google product to tell google to not modify my website.

This feature is basically just a shortcut to copy paste text in the app. I actually wouldn't mind having this in my mobile browser, assuming it works well.

by Jyaif 2y ago

This feature is basically just a shortcut to copy paste text in the app. I actually wouldn't mind having this in my mobile browser, assuming it works well.

barryvan 2y ago

Not quite, though. It's a shortcut to copy-and-paste text into a _Google_ app. For example, this wouldn't let you use Apple Maps or TripAdvisor or whatever other system you may prefer, instead funnelling you into Google's ecosystem. It's an attempt to bypass competitors hidden under by a façade of convenience.

Jyaif 2y ago
I was careful to say "into _the_ app". That being said I agree, if there's one criticism that is valid it's that this app should allow you to choose your providers. Anybody knows if it already does?

soraminazuki 2y ago

This is nothing at all like copy and paste. It's a MITM attack. With copy and paste, the user is in control. With this attack, only Google is in control. Not the user, not even the website owner, but an ad company. The plain fact is that Google is injecting its own content at its own discretion while disguising it to make it look like it's the website owner that did it. What would you think if I randomly injected my own promotional content in your HN comments in a way that's indistinguishable from your own writing? A few, if any, people on this site might not mind, but the overwhelming majority will.

Jyaif 2y ago
When you think about it, the goal of browsers is to MITM the data in order to present it in a way that is helpful to the users. > What would you think if I randomly injected my own promotional content in your HN comments in a way that's indistinguishable from your own writing It's a simplification, but in short if you create a bad browser, people won't use it.
handfuloflight 2y ago
> With this attack, only Google is in control. Not the user, not even the website owner, but an ad company. You, as a website owner, can opt out via: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1h9I0TbN-H_1e85CqXYb1ng7rQfg2ijfODc1sBxPBd08/viewform?edit_requested=true https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1h9I0TbN-H_1e85CqXYb1ng7rQfg... > What would you think if I randomly injected my own promotional content in your HN comments in a way that's indistinguishable from your own writing? Through what vector, the Unofficial Hacker News for iOS app that you maintain? Because that's the correct analogy here. Also stating 'promotional content' is being disingenuous to the type of Google content states it will surface through these links, see my other comment on this thread. I'm not in support of what Google is doing but I think we should be fair in our assessment and especially in our presentation of our assessment to others.
- soraminazuki 2y ago
  > You, as a website owner, can opt out via In other words, Google dictates the terms. I was forcibly opted in to this without my knowledge. To say no to this, I need a Google account and agree to their terms of service. How is anyone but Google in control here? > Through what vector, the Unofficial Hacker News for iOS app that you maintain? Through a browser, ISP, or unlawful access to HN servers. Doesn't matter. It's shady to disguise your own content as someone else's work. > Also stating 'promotional content' is being disingenuous to the type of Google content states it will surface through these links, see my other comment on this thread. I stand by my words. Please see the reply to your other comment.
- SahAssar 2y ago
  Only being able to opt-out by having the page registered in Google Search Console is pretty awful. I shouldn't have to use a google product to tell google to not modify my website.