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Re:The GPU, not the TPM, is the root of hardware DRM by matheusmoreira on Thursday January 02, 2025 @03:38PM (#42578580)
> Android devices are fully open and you can reflash them to whatever OS you want.

It doesn't matter. Those devices fail hardware remote attestation.

> Some remote servers won't give you service if you do that, but nothing is locking you out of your device.

The device's purpose is to be used. If it can't be used without giving up things like banks and private communications, it won't be used.

Device is not locked, it just turns into a paperweight if you actually unlock it.

> As Android dominates the global market, you already live in that world where most devices are open.

Wanna know what else dominates the global market? WhatsApp. In many regions of the world, without their services, you are ostracized.

Re:The GPU, not the TPM, is the root of hardware DRM by ethbr1 on Friday January 03, 2025 @08:44AM (#42585587)
As an example of the excess here:

Marriott (the hotel brand) shipped a release of their Android app that refused to run on unlocked devices.

It probably didn't impact the majority of (locked) Android devices, so why would Marriott care?

And with one app update, a valid user configuration became less capable.

Re:The GPU, not the TPM, is the root of hardware DRM by matheusmoreira on Saturday January 04, 2025 @06:34PM (#42598471)
When this remote attestation business started, people tried to minimize its impact by saying only apps that really needed it would use it. Such an absurd argument. Everyone is going to use this technology. It will literally become the default.

Everyone loves cryptography and wants it working in their favor. Everyone. It's great for us when it protects our messages and browsing from surveillance capitalism and warrantless government espionage. It's extremely bad for us when it becomes the policy enforcement tool of corporations and governments.

Remote attestation means we either we run the software which does their bidding and protects their interests and bottom line or we don't participate in society or the economy. Only way it could get worse is if the government starts signing software as well. One day even the goddamn ISPs will refuse to link to our hardware if it fails attestation.

It's literally the end of free computing as we know it. Everything the word "hacker" ever stood for, it's over.

Re:The GPU, not the TPM, is the root of hardware DRM by vrighter on Wednesday January 08, 2025 @10:27AM (#42635188)
Meh. I didn't reflash my phone. I didn't root it. I didn't do anything to modify its system files whatsoever.

I just installed KDE Connect, and an open source keyboard. Banking apps refuse to run because of those (because my keyboard might see my keystrokes!!!). They don't even need a failed hardware attestation to refuse you service.

So even if you don't try to modify your device, your device might still end up like half a paperweight. I either can't do banking, or I can't use the functionality I want.

Re:The GPU, not the TPM, is the root of hardware DRM by account42 on Tuesday January 14, 2025 @09:55AM (#42697923)
They do need the hardware attestation to prevent you from lying to them about what keyboard you use.