Against privacy defeatism: why browsers can still stop fingerprinting

Re:Against privacy defeatism: why browsers can still stop fi... by paganel on Saturday June 30, 2018 @03:56AM (#17429941)

I’m a privacy defeatist because the vast majority of people who argue for things like “https everywhere” and secure DNS nevertheless still use CC payments and buy most of their things online, which practically defeats the whole purpose: your CC-processor or bank now know when and if you’re going to have sex (you bought some condoms with your CC), know your political and ideological affiliations (based on the books you’ve purchased online) etc etc. It’s all pretty much a farse, I’d call it “voodoo privacy”.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Against privacy defeatism: why browsers can still stop fi... by forkerenok on Saturday June 30, 2018 @04:08AM (#17429971)

That's ironic that you responded with the points, exact spirit of which the parent rebukes.

The issues you are raising are indeed real issues, that will be eventually addressed. And that "eventually" largely depends on the pressure that privacy-minded consumers create.

And just because they are not addressed yet, it doesn't mean we shouldn't care about fixing other weak links.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Against privacy defeatism: why browsers can still stop fi... by paganel on Saturday June 30, 2018 @08:43AM (#17430678)

It’s not ironic at all, I’ve read about this discourse about data privacy for at least 10 years, nothing has changed for the better since then, quite the contrary. I for one take active steps in combating it (I very rarely use my CC for purchases, I buy almost nothing online etc), it’s tiring to be lectured on privacy by people who act one way and say a totally different thing.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Against privacy defeatism: why browsers can still stop fi... by dkersten on Saturday June 30, 2018 @06:53AM (#17430340)

Just because one person or entity (the CC company in this case) has all my data doesn’t mean every other person or entity should have it too. The fewer that have your data the better and the more it becomes possible to slowly improve your privacy level.

Es, my CC company can infer a lot about me. Yes, they may even be selling that information to others. That doesn’t mean that I want anybody who can MITM my requests to be able to see what I’m doing (or, worse, send me forged content for whatever purpose).

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Against privacy defeatism: why browsers can still stop fi... by godzillabrennus on Saturday June 30, 2018 @05:01AM (#17430077)

Merchants don’t typically pass data about items being purchased to merchant providers.

Merchants rely on cc info to track consumer behavior.

Projects like ShopIn.com give me hope that blockchain may decentralize this data and put control back in consumers hands.

If they decide that’s important to them.

[ Parent | on HN ]