SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
The GDPR is now in effect. This is an attempt (mostly good) to give people control over their personal data. Specifically, companies must ask you to opt-in to data collection, and you have the right to opt-out at any time.
Of course, too many companies are trying to abuse the situation. For example, I received several notices with an "accept" option that would opt-in to more ads, newsletters or data collection than I had before. I was particularly annoyed by the new Sonos privacy policy. It states that not opting-in to their full data collection means that your Sonos products will no longer work. Which, of course, makes no sense at all - there's no reason why a loudspeaker needs to send my music listening habits to the mothership.
This is an example of a practice called "forced consent", and is explicitly forbidden by the GDPR. Max Schrems, an Austrian attorney and privacy expert, has gone to war on exactly this kind of abuse. Just minutes after the GDPR came into effect, he filed separate complaints against Google, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp - all of which have similar forced-consent policies: opt-in or you cannot use their products.
Schrem's efforts are funded through noyb.eu (none of your business), which is a crowdfunded platform and organization that works for privacy rights online.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 24 2018, @02:58PM (3 children)
The real problem with being a lone wolf is that it makes you stand out from the crowd, and you get even more scrutiny.
(Score: 2) by captain normal on Sunday June 24 2018, @05:28PM
Unless the wolf is dressed as a sheep.
When life isn't going right, go left.
(Score: 2) by acid andy on Sunday June 24 2018, @09:12PM
Possibly, but that's not necessarily enough reason not to be one. You may feel strongly enough to want to make a stand on moral grounds against these abuses, for better or worse.
If a cat has kittens, does a rat have rittens, a bat bittens and a mat mittens?
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Sunday June 24 2018, @11:23PM
I'd rather be a lone wolf and smart enough to, say, 'Get the hell out of Germany' then a sheep that ends up served with mint at Auschwitz.
I'm glad I dumped Windows long ago. Only used Facebook for a few days before realising it was shite.
DUMP shit before it becomes 'difficult' or dump it when it's a pain, but dump it before it becomes the final solution.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---