this post was submitted on 25 Jul 2023
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Privacy

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Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

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[–] Izzgo@kbin.social 25 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Would someone kindly eli5? The dictionary definition was not helpful.

[–] exohuman@kbin.social 10 points 2 years ago

Basically, a website can block you or treat you suspiciously based on whether or not this “feature” says that your computer or browser is approved and unmodified.

This can become a problem as more sites adopt this. You can be using a 2 year old device and suddenly your bank stops working because your device no longer shows up as approved. It can be used to artificially enforce obsolescence. The fix would be to buy a new device.

You could be using Linux or a 3rd party browser and many websites will become unavailable to you because they can never show up as approved and unmodified. It basically breaks the open web.

[–] Zeeroover@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Imagine the web as a playground where some big companies like Apple and Google act as gatekeepers, deciding who gets access to certain features or sites. They use something called "Private Access Tokens" to check if your device is allowed. It's like showing a special ticket to play with the cool toys.

The problem is, this system could limit our choices and freedom. Only devices approved by these companies would get full access, while others might be treated suspiciously or blocked. It could stifle competition and innovation because only approved browsers and operating systems would be allowed.

Moreover, attestation means they control what we do with our own devices. Customization might not be allowed, and they could tighten the rules later on. This could change the web for the worse and hurt competition and user choices, making it less open and free.

[–] Skyline@lemmy.cafe 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

The author does a pretty good job of explaining the potential problems this technology could cause. Scroll down to Why Attestation Is Bad.

[–] Izzgo@kbin.social 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Thank you. I did see that, but was left wondering more exactly. Is it the same as cars locking features behind a subscription?

[–] jimmycrackcrack@lemmy.world 20 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Oh my god will the bastards never stop?

[–] cakeistheanswer@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 2 years ago (1 children)

There can be nothing between apple and the iron grip on it's users.

[–] jimmycrackcrack@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

I didn't make it clear but I was referring really to all the bastards of the world, generally here, Apple included for doing this, but them and all the other bastards doing bastard things too.

[–] dabster291@lemmy.zip 4 points 2 years ago

not if it makes them money

[–] RootBeerGuy@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 2 years ago

Of course not. Do they have a reason to?

[–] reddig33@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

Not really the same thing.

[–] tenth@lemmy.ml -1 points 2 years ago

Is there a real life issue that people faced or this is all theories? I haven’t seen any sites blocking me yet with ads blocker used?

[–] Streetdog@lemmy.world -2 points 2 years ago

So if the author didn't be a Google fanboy they'd keep up with other tech news and weren't a year late with their article.

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