• Snapz@lemmy.world
    125·
    4 months ago

    "Continue to use of all the numbers you love!*

    Starting August 1st, numbers 9, 7 3, 2 and 0 will only be available to members subscribed to our premium Calc+ tier.

  • henfredemars@infosec.pubEnglish
    87·
    4 months ago

    I can’t even imagine what data there is to collect for an application this simple.

    That privacy policy better be really short.

    On the bright side, a simple calculator ought to have plenty of free and open source alternatives that don’t harvest any data.

    • takeda@lemmy.world
      11·
      4 months ago

      Well, everything else that’s not calculations.

      This is why everyone is trying to have their app installed, there’s a lot of information that the phone provides, and now you no longer get warned what data is available.

    • dev_null@lemmy.ml
      10·
      4 months ago

      Same as for any app: crash reports, to fix issues.

      I was curious so I installed it (it’s the Google calculator app), and it just links to the generic Google privacy policy. There is nothing specific to the Calculator.

    • Victor@lemmy.world
      10·
      4 months ago

      That privacy policy better be really short.

      Clicking through to the policy from within the app just sends you to the general policy across Google. Very long.

      • henfredemars@infosec.pubEnglish
        3·
        4 months ago

        If we collect data and we do vaguely here’s what we might do which might include this other stuff that we might or might not do depending on what data is being collected.

        • Victor@lemmy.world
          6·
          4 months ago

          That’s basically the language. It’s so vague and general/generic and it applies to all products, that it’s impossible to know what is being collected without sniffing the traffic (maybe?).

    • Sibbo@sopuli.xyz
      31·
      4 months ago

      I believe it’s about how often the ad is used. Advertisers label people with “gullible” and stuff like this, so when you use a calculator regularly, that may be a hint that you are not.

        • Sibbo@sopuli.xyz
          2·
          4 months ago

          True. In the end, they are gonna use some statistical methods to find what is more true. Using also all the other data they have about you.

    • j4k3@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      4 months ago
      The reason the Linux kernel on Android does not have root and it is so challenging to hack the devices for the first time is because of how the user space is made.

      The entire premise of a device where the user is not required to understand graduate level computer science, networking, and operating systems, is based upon a simple principal. The mobile operating system is designed so that the app developer is essentially a user with the same privileges as the user. In practice, they are at the same access level but have far more knowledge about what that means and what they can do with it.

      The reason the root binary packages like su or sudo are not present is so that the app developer can not intentionally (or accidentally) take over the device completely. When the hardware manufacturer is done setting up the device’s OS, they log out with a script that removes all administrative access and any packages that can be used to import a new kernel binary like wget git or curl.

      The app developer is using a sandbox that is something like your user space sandbox. Within that app sandbox they have access to all kinds of stuff needed to configure almost any service, network, hardware access, or library they need in order to make their stuff work. This is what is being abused for data mining stalkerware.

      With Android, all applications are loaded into memory on boot. The excuse given is faster boot up of applications. In practice, this is a small fraction if a second difference with no bearing on your persistent mental level of comprehension. These apps are like users all traveling along with you in the background 24/7. Indeed, the integrated battery is a hacking exploit to maintain continuous operations of the stalkerware and promote users never fully power cycling their devices so that these apps remain uninterrupted.

      It is not about the calculator. It is about the stalkerware, which is ultimately ownership over a part of your digital person with the intent to manipulate, aka digital slavery. Search engines are not deterministic. There are only two relevant web crawlers and all search engines use these either directly or indirectly. This is the primary choke point where you can be easily manipulated with information, especially when combined with YouTube’s link to one of these crawlers. This is not banner ads, this is political opinions, foreign policy, and manipulation of information down to the individual scale. It is theft of autonomy. It is an attack on the third pillar of democracy - press/freedom of information. It always has been since the dawn of the free stalkerware internet.

      The fix is simple. The kernel modules and documentation for all hardware sold commercially must be open source. Anything less is ultimately theft of ownership, neo feudalism, and will lead to the end of democracy.

      THAT is the true weight of this tiny little message and annoyance. It is a much bigger issue than it first appears to be.

  • object [Object]@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    56·
    4 months ago

    Using our implementation of Microsoft recall, we can see that you’re calculating the price for your online purchase of Samsung AiPro Washing machine. We can see you can’t afford it, but don’t worry! We’ve applied a 10% coupon to your purchase so it’d be a bit cheaper for you!

    Still not good enough? Try our Ai powered financing application!

  • j4k3@lemmy.worldEnglish
    46·
    4 months ago

    “=” [locked] Infix subscription required

    …

    “base ten” [locked] subscription required, reverting to octal

  • vaionko@sopuli.xyz
    46·
    4 months ago

    My calc app also has its privacy policy there. It says

    OpenCalc does not collect any user data.

  • Sam_Bass@lemmy.world
    42·
    4 months ago

    Seems like everyone is going out of their way to tell us how much they “value” our privacy. The value they place on it wouldnt even get a burp from an atm machine

    • blind3rdeye@lemm.ee
      39·
      4 months ago

      The way I see it, the companies value our privacy in the sense that they want to take it - to extract that value.

      We value your privacy. So if you don’t value it, then give to away to someone who does. In fact, just lets us take it anyway regardless.

  • teft@lemmy.world
    41·
    4 months ago

    They want to monetize any proofs you find.

    Now get to work crunching numbers.

  • Aqarius@lemmy.world
    28·
    4 months ago

    It’s possibly compliance. I know google requires you to have a privacy policy to even publish an app, no matter what.

  • theneverfox@pawb.socialEnglish
    24·
    4 months ago

    In fairness, I’ve had to write a privacy policy due to store restrictions. It boiled down to “everything stays on your phone. I don’t collect your data, I don’t want your data, I don’t even have a backend server that could be collecting your data. If you find my app sending telemetry of any kind, please tell me immediately because that should not be happening”

    That being said, this doesn’t exactly inspire confidence

    • KeenFlame@feddit.nu
      3·
      4 months ago

      And nothing at all inspires more people confidence so that’s why they need the policies. It’s not possible to satisfy this