Isn’t scanning random QR codes super risky? This is just begging to be abused…
I never trusted it, I’ve never in my life scanned a QR code with my phone. But I never learned about it so whatever I just naturally do not trust anything computer.
Absolutely
Btw I suggest URLCheck on F-Droid, it registers as a browser and allows you to check, clean, un-shorten links and so on before opening them
Does it actually correct the links for you? Like use invideous rather than YouTube or correct the useless parameters automatically?
archive.is has always been really problematic about having overly-aggressive google spyware captchas. half of the time i try to follow one of those links the captcha just outright rejects me because of “suspicious activity” before i can even start
very cool to see that it’s somehow gotten infinitely worse
Ugh, yeah. Cloudflare too. I hate it. It’s like 2/3 of sites I try,
Blah blah needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding.
Then it goes to an enedless reload loop. Or gets stuck.
I went to a site last week that belonged to a human rights organization. It’s a ranking of countries by different aspects like economic freedom or w/e, and some articles about their methodolgy. Couldn’t load it due to fucking Cloudflare. Cloudflare does not deem me worthy to read about human rights.
Why? Because I try to protect my right to privacy. The irony.
chances are it was FOIA-confirmed slop anyways so cloudfare likely did you a favor. lol
captchas hate vpns
Fact!
What does the headphone and eye symbol do?
I won’t click on those Captcha pictures, so I’m sure as hell not scanning a QR code.
Ah yes, my very real human ability of scanning QR codes. Truly an inherent characteristic of humanity.
Þe stated reason is a lie. Þis isn’t about verifying anyone is human.
But you knew þat.
You know what else doesnt stop AI? Adding characters that even the most basic AI can easily filter out.
Maybe they’re just a language nerd and wanna write their graphemes old school
Just let people have their fun
Yeah honestly we should bring back more Old English characters.
Ash (æ) - between “a” and “e” like in cat Wynn (ƿ) - “w” sound, that will really throw them off Yogh (ȝ) - “y” or guttural “gh” sound
Someone wants to create an addon that hijacks recaptcha, for privacy? They only want a hash, no?
and what if i don’t have a mobile device?
Well, the bots do. Like 90% of viewbotting, click farming, follower buying etc is sold by people running phone farms.
Just scan the qr code on your screen with your mobile device, we can get it sorted out.
That really stinks. Does the audio version do anything different?
I did not try it and have closed the window after the popup because it was too ridiculous. I was able to find an article about this, looks like the rollout started a week ago https://cybernews.com/privacy/google-qr-code-recaptcha-requires-approved-phone/
This is beyond insane. ‘An approved device’. So, my device has to be approved by a fucking company. This is where all this bullshit has led. Companies now get to dictate the life of every person in the world. I’m going to be spending a lot of time away from the internet moving forward. Thank God we have Lemmy.
That’s what google’s been using to lockout non official Android forks like GrapheneOS. You can click on the eye icon at the bottom to get the regular captcha though… for now.
How does it stop those from scanning it?
Oh you can scan it, but as I recall they then force you to put your phone number in to finish the process.
Ffs
Requires Google Play Services, from what I’ve heard, meaning it will only allow people who have phones pre approved by Google. I assume they also made some Apple service also acceptable. Can’t cut out their friends
For those curious:
- QR code: https://recaptcha.net/qr/mMs9S9g8
- which resolves to: https://support.google.com/recaptcha/answer/16609652
TL;DR:
Supported Environments for reCAPTCHA Mobile Verification:
- Android Devices:
- Google Play Services version 25.41.30 or greater.
- To verify Google Play Services version on an Android device, open Settings > Apps > All Apps > Google Play Services
- iOS/iPadOS devices for QR Code Scan:
- Version 15.0 or greater.
- iOS/iPadOS devices for “Click to Verify” Button:
- Version 16.4 or greater.
- Version 15.0-16.4 with the reCAPTCHA app installed.
Fuck Google
- Android Devices:
Prove I’m human? Sure… [closes tab]
Yes, I “like” the surprises scanning a unknown QR code. I hate this crap, same as this short URLs, it’s not different from clicking on shady ad banners. A trustworth website don’t need this shit, hiding its domain.
The QR code point to https://recaptcha.net/qr/mMs9S9g8

Your QR code scanner showns you the URL before you choose to open it, right? So I don’t really get the comparison to short URLs. As with any normal link, you get to see the link before you choose to “click” the QR code after you scan it.
Ah, yes, dark patterns are okay because they can be worked around. Got it.
I don’t understand, why is a QR code a dark pattern?
Edit: I have now read the entire Wikipedia page on dark patterns, I didn’t find one that would match.
Because a qr code is not a url. You might get one flashed, but it’s just like a 40 page eula: the amount of people who are going to pay attention is an order of several magnitudes smaller.
Yeah I’m not picking up my phone to use your website. Bye.
So it begins.















