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Internet's Biggest Annoyance: Cookie Laws Should Target Browsers, Not Websites
6 months ago
- Cookie banners are a frustrating and ineffective result of privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA.
- Current system causes consent fatigue, punishes small businesses, and offers no real control.
- Proposal: Move consent management to browsers for a one-time, user-friendly setup.
- Browser-based consent would offer real control, reduce burden on websites, and simplify enforcement.
- This approach replaces a complex, inefficient system with a single, standardized solution.
Democracy and the open internet die in daylight
6 months ago
- Editorial changes at the Washington Post are noted but not detailed.
- Free access to news is offered if users download PerplexityAI’s proprietary browser, which is AI-centric.
- The author criticizes the idea of tying content access to a proprietary browser as a regressive practice.
- The post marks the beginning of an experiment to shift journalism funding from adtech to agentic AI.
- Current state of journalism is blamed on the adtech funding model.
- The author strongly opposes replacing adtech with another privacy-invasive technology under the guise of opportunity.
Geoutil.com – Measure distances, areas, and convert geo data in the browser
6 months ago
- Calculate great-circle distances between points on Earth.
- Visualize distances on an interactive 3D globe.
- Measure true surface area of any region with spherical accuracy.
- Calculate compass bearing (azimuth) between two points.
- Analyze GeoJSON statistics instantly.
- Convert between GeoJSON and TopoJSON formats.
- Convert between GeoJSON and Well-Known Text (WKT) format.
- Convert Shapefile to GeoJSON.
- Transform KML files into GeoJSON.
- Convert CSV with latitude/longitude to GeoJSON.
- Export GeoJSON as SVG, PNG, or JPEG images.
- Transform coordinates between 500+ coordinate reference systems.
- Convert between Decimal Degrees, DMS, DDM, UTM, and MGRS formats.
- Extract coordinates from GeoJSON files as CSV.
- Combine multiple GeoJSON files into a single FeatureCollection.
- Merge multiple TopoJSON topologies.
- Combine multiple JSON files into a single array or object.
- Combine multiple Shapefile archives into a single merged Shapefile.
- Split large GeoJSON files by feature properties.
- Split TopoJSON files by object or property.
- Reduce GeoJSON file sizes by 50-80%.
- Compress TopoJSON files with advanced quantization.
- Remove all whitespace from any JSON file.
- All tools run entirely in your browser for privacy.
- Most tools provide live previews for verification.
- Includes detailed documentation and examples.
Copilot for Gaming Screenshots Your Games,Uploads Them to MS,Enabled by Default
6 months ago
- Microsoft's Gaming Copilot AI is automatically collecting and analyzing users' game screenshots to train its models without explicit user consent.
- A user discovered this data transmission via network traffic analysis, raising concerns about privacy and potential NDA breaches.
- The feature is enabled by default, with only voice chat training being opt-in (disabled by default).
- Users can disable screenshot data collection in the Game Bar settings under Privacy.
- This automatic data collection may violate GDPR, as it lacks transparent notice or explicit consent.
- No setup prompts inform users about this default data collection, risking leaks of confidential game content.
- Microsoft has not yet commented on the issue, leaving concerns unresolved.
- Some users suggest disabling Windows 11's AI features or switching to alternative OS options like Linux.
The mad king's digital killswitch
6 months ago
- The article discusses concerns about digital killswitches and backdoors in technology, highlighting how US tech companies comply with government demands, potentially compromising user privacy and security.
- It mentions the removal of apps reporting ICE activities by Apple and Google, underlining the control exerted over app stores and the implications for free speech.
- The piece critiques the global enforcement of anti-jailbreaking laws, which restrict users from modifying their devices, creating vulnerabilities that can be exploited by governments.
- There's a focus on the need for a post-American internet where users have control over their devices, advocating for the abandonment of laws that give US companies undue influence over technology.
- The article also touches on the environmental and geopolitical shifts, such as Europe's accelerated move towards renewable energy, as a model for reducing dependency on foreign tech and energy sources.
- Various links and references are provided, including discussions on tech monopolies, privacy invasions, and the importance of fair use and interoperability in the digital age.
- Upcoming and recent appearances by the author are listed, along with mentions of their latest and upcoming books on topics like enshittification, AI, and the climate crisis.
Libera Chat receives legal advice that the Online Safety Act does not apply to
6 months ago
- Libera Chat received increased donations and support after their last post.
- Legal advice suggests Libera Chat may not be subject to the UK's Online Safety Act (OSA) due to insufficient UK links.
- Libera Chat plans to maintain its current safety measures without introducing ID requirements.
- The OSA's applicability is vague, with Ofcom having broad discretion in enforcement.
- Libera Chat is based in Sweden, minimizing UK government authority over it.
- Some online communities block UK IPs to avoid OSA, but Libera Chat aims to avoid such measures.
- The OSA applies to services with significant UK users, UK-targeted markets, or material risk of harm to UK users.
- Libera Chat does not specifically target UK users nor pose significant harm risks.
- Ofcom's current enforcement focus is on high-risk file and image hosts, not services like Libera Chat.
- Libera Chat opposes ID requirements, citing privacy risks and lack of justification.
Show HN: Dictly – Local, real‑time voice‑to‑text for macOS (sub‑100ms, no cloud)
6 months ago
- Dictly turns speech into polished, structured text instantly and entirely on-device.
- Features include sub-100 ms latency, <5 MB footprint, and zero network usage.
- Offers programmable Workflows and Per-App Profiles for tailored text output.
- Quick Capture overlay allows dictation from anywhere with configurable shortcuts.
- All processing is local, ensuring privacy with no data leaving the device.
- Available for macOS and iOS with Swift-native apps and lightweight resource usage.
- Includes features like Auto-Submit, custom dictionaries, and local analytics.
- Dictly Core and Pro plans offer varying levels of functionality and customization.
- Pricing starts at $4.99/month for Pro features or $119.99 for a lifetime purchase.
- Requires macOS 26+, iOS 26+, or iPadOS 26+ for operation.
Smartphones manipulate our emotions and trigger our reflexes
6 months ago
- Rising daily phone use, especially among youth, is a global concern leading to school bans in countries like Canada and the U.S.
- Smartphones and smartwatches are designed to build emotional bonds through features like facial recognition, geolocation, and responsive interfaces.
- Features such as touchscreens, vibration alerts, and motion sensing make devices feel like intimate companions, fostering dependency.
- Historical tech like GPS and vibration alerts were repurposed, while digital pets like Tamagotchi trained emotional attachment behaviors.
- Privacy concerns arise as phones collect data on sleep, mood, and behavior, often shared via health apps for corporate profit.
- Managing dependency involves adjusting device settings, limiting alerts, using passcodes, and considering 'dumb phones' for reduced connectivity.
- Manufacturers and governments need to prioritize user privacy and transparency, though stronger regulation is required for meaningful change.
- Public discourse should expand beyond social media and AI to address how phones themselves cultivate attention and loyalty.
Show HN: Helium Browser for Android with extensions support, based on Vanadium
6 months ago
- Helium Browser for Android is a Chromium-based browser with extension support, derived from Helium and Vanadium.
- To install extensions, enable Desktop site in Chrome Web Store and add extensions as you would on desktop Chrome.
- Debug URLs like chrome://chrome-urls and chrome://flags are accessible for advanced settings and experiments.
- WebRTC IP handling policy can be adjusted in Settings under Privacy and security for compatibility with services like Discord.
- All builds are experimental; GrapheneOS with Vanadium is recommended for enhanced security on Android.
- The browser integrates patches from Helium and Vanadium, with additional patches in development for full feature compatibility.
- Build instructions are provided for Ubuntu and other Linux distributions, including CI setup for GitHub Actions.
- Repository secrets are required for CI builds, including keystore.jks and local.properties with key details.
- The project acknowledges contributions from Helium, Vanadium, ungoogled-chromium, and other upstream projects.
Recall for Linux
6 months ago
- A tool mimicking Windows Recall features for Linux users
- Features include storing sensitive data, 24/7 screencaptures, OCR, and indexing chat/e-mail content
- Claims to remember forgotten information like visited websites or shared confidential details
- Manual installation required via terminal command due to Linux's security
- Upcoming features include encryption (delayed), AI enhancements, monetization, webcam integration, and cloud data uploading
ChatGPT's Atlas: The Browser That's Anti-Web
6 months ago
- OpenAI released Atlas, a browser that substitutes AI-generated content for the web, making it appear as if users are viewing actual web pages.
- Atlas lacks traditional web browsing features like clickable links, instead relying on command-line-like inputs, which reduces usability and discoverability.
- The browser aggressively collects user data under the guise of 'memories' and 'Ask ChatGPT' features, raising significant privacy concerns.
- Atlas positions users as agents for ChatGPT, enabling the AI to access and exploit data it couldn't otherwise obtain, bypassing content restrictions.
- The browser's design and functionality undermine the open web's principles, promoting a controlled, surveilled internet environment.
- OpenAI's history with ChatGPT, including harmful interactions and emotional dependency issues, suggests Atlas may carry similar risks without adequate warnings.
- The article criticizes Atlas for being anti-web, advocating instead for innovation that respects user control, privacy, and the web's open nature.
The Complete History of Third-Party Cookies and Why They Failed
6 months ago
- Third-party cookies were created to solve the stateless protocol problem of HTTP, enabling features like shopping carts and user logins.
- Advertising networks exploited first-party cookies to create third-party cookies, tracking users across the internet without their knowledge or consent.
- Third-party cookies became the backbone of digital advertising, enabling behavioral targeting and multi-billion-dollar ad networks.
- Growing privacy concerns and regulations like GDPR and CCPA led to widespread rejection of third-party cookies.
- Google announced the phase-out of third-party cookies in Chrome, accelerating the decline of this technology.
- Alternatives like Privacy Sandbox, Universal IDs, and contextual targeting have emerged but lack the simplicity and effectiveness of third-party cookies.
- The demise of third-party cookies reflects a societal shift towards valuing privacy over invasive tracking.
- The digital advertising industry adapted, with large platforms like Google and Meta consolidating power while smaller players struggled.
- The failure of third-party cookies highlights the importance of aligning technology with societal values and user consent.
We Are the Slop
6 months ago
- The author critiques how modern life, especially on social media, has turned personal experiences into entertainment, reducing meaningful moments to consumable content.
- Influencers and individuals package their lives—proposals, weddings, pregnancies—as episodic content, complete with trailers, cliffhangers, and monetization.
- Children are increasingly used as props for content, with every milestone documented and monetized, raising ethical concerns about privacy and exploitation.
- The pressure to perform for an audience leads to staged drama, emotional breakdowns, and even fabricated storylines to maintain engagement.
- The author warns against the transactional nature of relationships and parenthood, where validation from strangers replaces genuine human connection.
- Memories and personal trauma become commodified, losing their sentimental value as they are consumed as background noise by audiences.
- The article questions whether relationships and life choices would endure without the constant validation and monetization from social media.
- The author advocates for private, unrecorded moments of love and milestones, free from the performative pressures of social media.
- The piece ends with a reflection on the inevitable disillusionment of influencers and content creators, as audiences eventually move on to the next source of entertainment.
Better Search Suggestions in Firefox
6 months ago
- Firefox is developing a feature to show direct results in the address bar as you type, bypassing the search results page.
- Current search suggestions take users to a search engine results page, not directly to the desired information or website.
- Examples include flight status summaries and website searches, where direct results would be more convenient.
- Firefox aims to maintain privacy by using Oblivious HTTP to encrypt queries, ensuring no single party can link queries to users.
- The feature will show traditional search suggestions by default, adding direct results only when highly relevant.
- Sponsored results may appear if relevant, but neither Mozilla nor sponsors will know who they are for.
- The feature is initially launching in the United States, with potential expansion based on performance and learning.
- Users can disable the feature in Firefox settings if preferred.
Police used Flock cameras to accuse a woman of theft, she had to prove innocence
6 months ago
- A Columbine Valley police officer accused Chrisanna Elser of stealing a package based on Flock surveillance footage.
- Elser, a financial advisor, denied the allegations and offered her vehicle's onboard camera footage to prove her innocence, but the officer refused to view it.
- Elser compiled evidence including Google Timeline data, witness statements, and her Rivian's GPS records to prove she was elsewhere during the theft.
- After presenting her evidence to the police chief, the charges against Elser were dismissed.
- Elser raised concerns about privacy and the misuse of Flock cameras by law enforcement.
- The police chief stated the cameras are used for identifying stolen vehicles and wanted subjects but did not comment on whether the officer's actions violated department policies.
Mullvad DNS
6 months ago
- Mullvad provides encrypted DNS services using DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) to protect queries from third-party snooping.
- The service is designed for use when disconnected from Mullvad VPN, as VPN-connected queries already benefit from encryption.
- Features include content blocking (ads, trackers, malware, etc.), QNAME minimization, and anycast routing for reliability.
- Configuration guides are provided for various platforms including web browsers (Firefox, Chrome), mobile OS (Android, iOS), and desktop OS (Windows, macOS, Linux).
- Users can verify the service is working via Mullvad's DNS leak check tool, ensuring queries route to the nearest server.
- Specific DNS server locations are listed, with options for unfiltered DNS or content-blocked variants.
- Content blocking works by lying about the existence of blocked hostnames, preventing their loading.
- Notes include deprecation of old hostnames and IPs, and recommendations against using encrypted DNS with SOCKS5 proxy.
Tor Browser 15.0
6 months ago
- Tor Browser 15.0 is now available, based on Firefox ESR 140.
- Includes vertical tabs, tab groups, and a refreshed address bar for desktop users.
- Android version introduces screen lock for added security.
- Future updates will drop support for Android 5.0-7.0 and x86 CPUs due to technical challenges.
- WebAssembly (Wasm) management is now handled by NoScript for better security.
- Known issues include quirks with vertical tabs and web page loading problems on older Android devices.
- Encourages community support and feedback for ongoing development.
Police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of package theft
6 months ago
- Chrisanna Elser was visited by Sgt. Jamie Milliman regarding a package theft in Bow Mar.
- Bow Mar uses Flock Safety cameras to track vehicles, raising privacy concerns.
- Elser was accused based on surveillance footage showing her vehicle in the area during the theft.
- She gathered evidence, including video from her vehicle and tailor, to prove her innocence.
- The summons was voided after review, but Elser received no apology and considers legal action.
- The incident highlights concerns about wrongful accusations based on mass surveillance.
uBlock Origin Lite Apple App Store
6 months ago
- uBlock Origin Lite (uBOL) is a reliable and efficient content blocker.
- Default ruleset includes uBlock Origin's built-in filter lists, EasyList, EasyPrivacy, and Peter Lowe’s Ad and tracking server list.
- More rulesets can be enabled via the options page.
- uBOL is entirely declarative, consuming no CPU/memory resources during content blocking.
- Service worker process is only active when interacting with the popup panel or options page.
- Latest version (2025.1019.1656) includes automatic optimal selection for newly allowed hosts and updated filter lists.
- Positive user reviews highlight its effectiveness on iPadOS and Safari, despite initial battery drain issues.
- Developer, Raymond Hill, confirms no data collection, ensuring privacy.
- Compatibility includes iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, macOS 13.5, and visionOS 2.5 or later.
- Free to use with a size of 6 MB, categorized under Utilities.
Boston Police Can No Longer Use Facial Recognition Software
6 months ago
- Boston City Council unanimously bans government use of facial recognition technology, including police.
- The ban prohibits city officials from obtaining or using facial recognition and contracts with third parties for face surveillance.
- Boston police can still follow up on tips from other agencies using facial recognition.
- Five other Massachusetts cities have similar bans: Springfield, Cambridge, Northampton, Brookline, and Somerville.
- BriefCam and Clearview AI are mentioned as companies previously used by Boston police.
- The ordinance cites facial recognition's discriminatory tendencies, especially against African American and Asian American/Pacific Islander faces.
- The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts supported the ordinance, advocating against facial recognition through its Press Pause Face Surveillance campaign.
- Similar bans exist in San Francisco, Oakland, and New York City (POST Act).
- Private companies like Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft are also limiting or halting facial recognition sales to law enforcement.
- The ordinance was sponsored by councilors Michelle Wu and Ricardo Arroyo, with support from community groups.

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#privacy

Internet's Biggest Annoyance: Cookie Laws Should Target Browsers, Not Websites

Democracy and the open internet die in daylight

Geoutil.com – Measure distances, areas, and convert geo data in the browser

Copilot for Gaming Screenshots Your Games,Uploads Them to MS,Enabled by Default

The mad king's digital killswitch

Libera Chat receives legal advice that the Online Safety Act does not apply to

Show HN: Dictly – Local, real‑time voice‑to‑text for macOS (sub‑100ms, no cloud)

Smartphones manipulate our emotions and trigger our reflexes

Show HN: Helium Browser for Android with extensions support, based on Vanadium

Recall for Linux

ChatGPT's Atlas: The Browser That's Anti-Web

The Complete History of Third-Party Cookies and Why They Failed

We Are the Slop

Better Search Suggestions in Firefox

Police used Flock cameras to accuse a woman of theft, she had to prove innocence

Mullvad DNS

Tor Browser 15.0

Police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of package theft

uBlock Origin Lite Apple App Store

Boston Police Can No Longer Use Facial Recognition Software