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submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by extremeboredom@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

If you use the privacy respecting Gboard alternative called FUTO keyboard, you've probably noticed that the built in swipe typing is HOT GARBAGE. (Typing this currently with two thumbs for this exact reason.)

Most keyboards improve their swipe algorithms by simply spying on you and logging your typing data. FUTO isn't about that, so they have built a simple webpage based typing game that you can use to improve their system in an ethical and voluntary manner! Just swipe the website's keyboard to type a provided sentence.

I love this, they can crowdsource the improvement without invading privacy!

Share with any relevant communities you're a part of. The more data, the better this gets.

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[-] extremeboredom@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

The entire point of the keyboard is that it's not built in. The philosophy behind the organization making it says that it shouldn't be built in.

[-] kitnaht@lemmy.world -5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Nowhere in their site does it say such a thing, and I think you're interpreting it the way you want to believe it.

They simply say that people should have control over their information.

I agree. That's why it should be built into the keyboard, and ONLY activated if the user opts-in. If they don't, then they will be cutting off their nose, in order to spite their face.

Users will gladly contribute, so long as the path to contribution is the least painful it can be. Opting in via the keyboard app is the only reasonable route to do this; not via some website.

You're welcome to read their beliefs here: https://futo.org/about/what-does-futo-believe/

We expect FUTO companies to have an honest relationship with their customers. Ideally revenue comes from customers paying directly for the services provided by the company. “The users are our product” revenue models such as those employed by Facebook and Google are prohibited.

If the data needed to help improve swipe accuracy goes to helping improve the product, and is not sold and used as a business model - then that is perfectly within reasonable use of the data as explained by their beliefs page.

[-] everett@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 day ago

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.futo.inputmethod.latin.playstore

Your keyboard shouldn't connect to the internet.

We believe that if your computer keyboard doesn't ask for internet access, neither should your mobile keyboard. FUTO Keyboard is a modern keyboard app with voice input that is completely offline and never connects to the internet, in order to ensure your privacy and security.

[-] extremeboredom@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

You're missing the whole anonymization layer they've implemented here. If actual typing data is used, the app can't guarantee user control of the data after opt-in. The data they're using here is not private user typing data to begin with.

I'd recommend listening to Louis Rossman's talks on the subject.

[-] kitnaht@lemmy.world -2 points 1 day ago

I'm not missing anything, I'm one of Louis Rossman's Patreon members. I work in the same field as he does (or, well, used to, technically).

The only data they're collecting is what swipe pattern coincides with which word. You swipe, it mispredicts, you choose the word that it should have been, and poof - a library of swiped shapes -> word gets created.

It doesn't violate privacy, it's anonymized, and it helps improve the system for others.

There's no reason to go to the extent you claim they must.

[-] extremeboredom@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Ok cool, but I'll still support this initiative, because as FUTO states, a keyboard should not connect to the internet.

this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2024
263 points (99.6% liked)

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