Congress’s moves against TikTok threaten freedom of speech and are grounded in baseless anti-Chinese hysteria. That dangerous fearmongering attitude appears to be becoming bipartisan consensus.

  • ReversalHatchery@beehaw.orgEnglish
    0·
    8 months ago

    I am afraid that there’s no way to really ban it. All you need is a VPN to bypass whatever they come up with.

    I think it depends. Banning them from the main app stores is something too. That way at least users gain back at least some privacy, as anything constrained to a web browser has much much less access to device data than any app. I like to use the gyroscope and the compass as an example: it does not require a permission, it is a free for all, the tiktok app (and others too of course, including facebook) can basically infer from it’s readings what are you doing, how are you traveling right now, and depending on sensor accuracy, to where.
    Maybe banning the website is too far, but I don’t think that’s needed to have some effect.

    This leaves me with the assumption that there is an ulterior motive that since this still sets precedent that though ineffective, they can misuse the precedent for nefarious ends.

    I fear that too

    Could that become us?

    I’ve just recently heard that my country made a contract with china to import surveillance tech. That is central EU.

    • ɔiƚoxɘup@beehaw.orgEnglish
      0·
      8 months ago

      I don’t know, banning it from the app store would definitely reduce the number of users but if the app is already on the device it’s not going anywhere. Plus it’s a free app so at least with Android it’s easy enough to side load it or get it from a website like APKPure or somewhere else. All you got to do is change a little setting and allow the installation of apps from unknown sources in your browser. This would have the effect of introducing whole new vectors for infection and compromise.

      On the flip side I do see it as a legitimate national security threat so really it’s a no-win situation.

      • ReversalHatchery@beehaw.orgEnglish
        0·
        8 months ago

        but if the app is already on the device it’s not going anywhere

        Google can remotely remove and install apps, even without user notice. I mean that it is a current (old) ability of their preinstalled software.
        But also, people change phones, or sometimes reset it.

        Plus it’s a free app so at least with Android it’s easy enough to side load it or get it from a website like APKPure or somewhere else

        Not sure how many of them would try that. Most average people don’t know how to use their phone, only how to use the services made for them. Or at least that’s how I see it nowadays.

        • ɔiƚoxɘup@beehaw.orgEnglish
          0·
          8 months ago

          Not sure how many of them would try that. Most average people don’t know how to use their phone, only how to use the services made for them. Or at least that’s how I see it nowadays.

          They’re one YouTube video away from VPN and APKPure.

          Google can remotely remove and install apps, even without user notice.

          TIL. Time to think a little harder about de-googling.