this post was submitted on 08 Aug 2023
611 points (98.1% liked)

Technology

60082 readers
3332 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related content.
  3. Be excellent to each another!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed

Approved Bots


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Summary

  • Google's proposal, Web Environment Integrity (WEI), aims to send tamper-proof information about a user's operating system and software to websites.
  • The information sent would help reduce ad fraud and enhance security, but it also raises concerns about user autonomy and control over devices.
  • The authors argue that implementing WEI could lead to websites blocking access for users not on approved systems and browsers.
  • They express worries about companies gaining more control over users' devices and the potential for abuse.
  • The authors emphasize that users should have the final say over what information their devices share.
  • Remote attestation tools, like WEI, might have their place in specific contexts but should not be implemented on the open web due to potential negative consequences.
  • The authors advocate for preserving user autonomy and the openness of the web, emphasizing that users should be the ultimate decision-makers about their devices.

Joke:

Two pieces of string walk into a bar. The first piece of string asks for a drink. The bartender says, “Get lost. We don’t serve pieces of string.”

The second string ties a knot in his middle and messes up his ends. Then he orders a drink.

The bartender says, “Hey, you aren’t a piece of string, are you?” The piece of string says, “Not me! I'm a frayed knot.”

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I just was updating my browser setup on my Linux laptop today, and wanted to install an extension I used to like using a few years ago ... 'TrackMeNot'. I couldn't find it on the Chrome Store at all. I had a feeling why... yup!

https://www.trackmenot.io/googleban#:~:text=Google%20falsely%20labels%20TrackMeNot%20as%20malware%2C%20bans%20it,of%20being%20removed%20from%20the%20Chrome%20Web%20Store.

Of course they would gin up a reason to suppress a plugin that lets users obscure their search engine activity. Slimy Bastards. At least the extension is still available, and still works, if one locally installs the unpacked version: https://github.com/vtoubiana/TrackMeNot-Chrome

We should indeed all move to Firefox (despite their own stupid issues -- someone please start a new browser engine, even if it's a Herculean task these days!)

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (2 children)

someone please start a new browser engine, even if it’s a Herculean task these days!

https://servo.org/

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Thanks! I was actually just wondering what it would take to do this the other day

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

That's cool. I wonder if they're planning an android version

[–] UnaSolaEstrellaLibre 8 points 1 year ago

Is your issues with Firefox on the product/foundation itself, or are you referring to the Gecko Engine?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

May do so at some point. Getting tired of browsers both being scummy and not compliant with standards.