this post was submitted on 01 Jun 2025
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Privacy

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Welcome! This is a community for all those who are interested in protecting their privacy.

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PS: Don't be a smartass and try to game the system, we'll know if you're breaking the rules when we see it!

  1. Be civil and no prejudice
  2. Don't promote big-tech software
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[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 47 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Simple solution: stop using those services.

Better solution: push for actual privacy protections in your area.

[–] loomy@lemy.lol 12 points 3 days ago

use privacy friendly tech alternatives ; there's tons

[–] nickwitha_k@lemmy.sdf.org 10 points 3 days ago

Would be nice. Haven't had new privacy laws in the US in about half a century.

[–] henfredemars@infosec.pub 36 points 3 days ago (1 children)

This is a great reason/excuse for why I self-host many services and focus on removing corporate influences wherever possible.

[–] lundi@piefed.social 13 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Flohmarkt is nice but not too many people using it yet so it might be hard to find some things

[–] ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org 3 points 2 days ago

especially depending on country

[–] BoycottPro@lemm.ee 3 points 2 days ago

I think Reddit is a good place to focus on boycotting in response to this. We have an excellent alternative here on Lemmy. If you know anyone on Reddit urge them to sign up for Lemmy. Even if you only convince them to use both website and not discontinue Reddit it's still a win because you're moving them in the right direction.

[–] orbituary@lemmy.dbzer0.com 19 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Or, just stop using that trash.

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 10 points 3 days ago

Direct action is the first step to deny these parasites engagement

[–] Libb@jlai.lu 12 points 2 days ago

As long as enough people are willing to use and to rely on those apps/services, no matter how good the reason(s), those companies win and they (will) screw all of us.

I told those companies they should go fuck themselves the day I quit using them

[–] KindnessIsPunk@lemmy.ca 12 points 2 days ago

TL;DR:

ICE contractor ShadowDragon uses their platform SocialNet to map individuals' digital footprints, personal data and connections across 200+ sites such as OnlyFans, WhatsApp, Roblox and Duolingo.

ShadowDragon claims it accesses data in real-time without storing it, sidestepping some accountability.

ICE and other agencies, including the DEA and State Department, use SocialNet for investigations, citing its utility in tracking criminal activity, despite their unwillingness to prove that criminality in court.

Link to the 404Media article without the required sign in.

Link to Mozilla's follow-up article which mentions some additional involved companies.

[–] Zoma@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 days ago

Okay but i dont think they will stop

[–] argueswithidiots@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago (2 children)

What kind of data is Duolingo amassing that anyone would care about? just checked the permissions, and it doesn't have anything enabled which would not be necessary for it to function. Unless the government is interested in my mangled pronunciations of foreign words?

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 10 points 3 days ago

Unless the government is interested in my mangled pronunciations of foreign words?

...

[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago
[–] autonomoususer@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Lmao, tell yourself and your friends. These abusers will never fix it for you.

[–] ocean@lemmy.selfhostcat.com -2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Hilarious coming from them

[–] lundi@piefed.social 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

not disagreeing with you but i couldnt find EFF talking about it lately unless i missed it

[–] LWD@lemm.ee 12 points 3 days ago

Looks like Mozilla is just relying on Someone Else's (in this case, 404 Media's) coverage of this

a new investigation by 404 Media has revealed that ShadowDragon, a U.S. government contractor, is exploiting publicly available data from websites and services like Etsy, Reddit, Tinder, and Duolingo — to fuel mass surveillance programs for U.S. government agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

And to my eyes it looks like they're relying on Someone Else (you) to petition them, although to be fair they do say:

Mozilla will directly pressure 30 companies, chosen based on their size, the volume of user data they hold, the vulnerability of their users, and the value of their data to ShadowDragon — especially platforms where users share sensitive information, including personal communications, affiliations, political speech, geolocation, and immigration status.

... Which is good, whatever directly pressuring means.