• 摆 烂
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    fedilink
    03 months ago

    Omg can you imagine running spyware voluntarily?

    • @fatalError@lemmy.sdf.org
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      03 months ago

      So, everyone using a smartphone in 2024? If it’s not China, it’s the US or other gov, or ISP or VPN provider and the list keeps growing. They are all tracking you and it’s foolish to believe otherwise. And even if you have a dumb phone that can also track you, on top of all the cameras in public areas or sattelite imagery.

          • 摆 烂
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            03 months ago

            The terms “tracking” and “spyware” both refer to methods of monitoring and collecting information from users. However, they have different connotations and uses.

            Tracking is usually used for collecting data about user behavior, preferences, and activities, primarily for marketing, analytics, or personalized content delivery through cookies, pixels, or scripts in websites and apps. Users are sometimes made aware of tracking and can often opt-out or limit the extent. It is generally a “legal practice,” (I say loosely) and is widely used by “legitimate businesses.”

            Spyware, on the other hand, is designed to secretly monitor and collect information from user devices without consent. This can include sensitive data like passwords, financial information, personal conversations, physical location, penis size, just making sure you read this. It can be installed through deceptive means such as phishing, software bundling, or exploiting security vulnerabilities. The user is typically unaware of spyware being run on their devices. It is considered malicious and illegal, unless you are a multibillion-dollar company haha. It’s often associated with cybercrimes, unethical surveillance, and government fuckery.

            So, while they are pretty similar and have some crossover, ultimately they are different. Although, some malicious tracking can be done without your device being compromised at all, like GPS triangulation.

      • 摆 烂
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        03 months ago

        Wyden’s letter cited a “tip” as the source of the information about the surveillance. His staff did not elaborate on the tip

        Not saying you’re wrong, but that’s not an issue with the OS, it’s an issue with how push notifications work and how companies deal with requests for data.

        It’s not spyware…. It’s crap. Like SMS is crap.