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This standard is being used by ads to track your mobile browsing habits across sites, connections and VPNs.
From the article:
Intended to allow site owners to serve low-power versions of sites and web apps to users with little battery capacity left, soon after it was introduced, privacy researchers pointed out that it could also be used to spy on users. The combination of battery life as a percentage and battery life in seconds provides offers 14m combinations, providing a pseudo-unique identifier for each device.
The standard suggests that false data can be provided by the client to hide the true battery status for testing purposes. It seems to me that there should be a privacy setting to randomize battery status, which privacy mode in browsers should enable by default.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by TheGratefulNet on Tuesday August 02 2016, @06:59PM
on solving actual world problems - instead of trying to out-spy each other and out-MONETIZE each other, we'd all be enjoying a higher standard of life right now. instead, we live in the age of snowden, so to speak, were AD MEN like fb, twitter and google are the 'high tech silicon valley innovators' (gagged a bit on that; brb). their entire business model is to snoop on you and make money from that, directly and indirectly.
just nuke us from orbit, already. times like this make me think we're a failed experiment, down here.
"It is now safe to switch off your computer."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 02 2016, @07:07PM
instead of trying to out-spy each other and out-MONETIZE each other, we'd all be enjoying a higher standard of life right now
If people were not obsessed with power and/or were patient, we wouldn't have Syria. Global warming, over population, lack of food, environmental distraction, etc. etc. etc. but because people are short-sighted, then we do have problems. out-monetizing on the internet is the least of our problems.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Tuesday August 02 2016, @07:22PM
> out-monetizing on the internet is the least of our problems.
Kids grow up wanting to be a doctor-to-help, pilot, rocket scientist, builder...
The smartest (most school-capable) go straight into banks, finance, law, medecine-because-cash or spy-on-people-tech companies...
GP and I would prefer if those people used their talents for something that was more beneficial to the human race, like solving the problems you list.
But it doesn't pay as much.
"Et le pouvoir maudit qui corrompt les plus purs
Et amène le sage à cracher sur son frère"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSpw0C8xaCg [youtube.com] (yep, it's not in English)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 02 2016, @09:44PM
The smartest (most school-capable) go straight into banks, finance, law, medecine-because-cash or spy-on-people-tech companies...
I wouldn't say that. The goals of society are to reward the "less idealistic" professions, as you would say, not the more altruistic. I'll give you two examples,
1. Doctor shortages? Bullshit. Most teaching institutions have explicit quotas for people to enter medicine. The number of slots is 100% rigged to keep number of doctors at such a rate to guarantee employment, to guarantee money. Any doctor has guaranteed profession, no matter if they are terrible at their job. So where is shortage? It's just another version of protection racket (other professions/trades guilty of same thing)
2. Look at graduate studies for all universities where there is no artificial quotas. Overflowing. Most universities are expanding only ajunct prof. positions and tenures are becoming thing of the past. It's all about who you know and luck of the draw, not what you can contribute that matters whether you get a job.
And public spending is not exactly aimed at funding research. Oh noes, we fund wars instead.
Policy is what needs adjustment, not blaming individuals for trying to make a living. But look at elections today - it's not policy, it's "terrists this and that" and "who makes you feel better". When was the last time people actually voted because of policy?? Heck we have an entire anti-nuclear power movement rooted in ignorance and "feelings", so not much hope here. Hell, we have Trump!
Collectively we are pretty fucking stupid. Individuals can't fix that.
/rant
(Score: 3, Insightful) by mtrycz on Tuesday August 02 2016, @09:11PM
In capitalist America, ads view YOU!
;)
In capitalist America, ads view YOU!
(Score: 2) by julian on Tuesday August 02 2016, @09:34PM
Which is why I consider blocking ads, and as much tracking as possible, to be a moral imperative. If enough people block ads this entire business model will collapse.
(Score: 2) by Gravis on Wednesday August 03 2016, @01:16AM
yes they may but the experiment is far from over. we still have a very good chance of making this world a nice place to be.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 03 2016, @02:04PM
*shake* *shake* *shake* "outlook not so good"
(Score: 2) by Yog-Yogguth on Saturday August 06 2016, @01:05AM
I find this world to be an absolutely awesome place to be ...as long as I avoid enough humans :3
Bite harder Ouroboros, bite! tails.boum.org/ linux USB CD secure desktop IRC *crypt tor (not endorsements (XKeyScore))
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 03 2016, @09:45AM
on solving actual world problems - instead of trying to out-spy each other and out-MONETIZE each other
Not having enough of your money is an actual problem to advertisers.