• Re: European Commission sober! iMessage is not to be designated a"core platform service".

    From Alan@nuh-uh@nope.com to comp.mobile.android,comp.sys.mac.system,misc.phone.mobile.iphone on Tue Feb 20 09:34:32 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 03:31, David B. wrote:
    On 20 Feb 2024 at 09:40:44 GMT, "Frank Slootweg" <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

    badgolferman <REMOVETHISbadgolferman@gmail.com> wrote:
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
    badgolferman <REMOVETHISbadgolferman@gmail.com> wrote:
    Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
    [...]
    For some people it comes down to who is more trustworthy with their
    personal information, Apple or Google/Facebook.

    For 'instant messaging' - i.e. iMessage versus WhatsApp - and video >>>> calling/conferencing - i.e. FaceTime versus WhatsApp - it's irrelevant, >>>> because end-to-end-encryption ensures that no-one has access to "their >>>> personal information".

    Yeah, right?

    You really think Apple, Google, Facebook don?t have the ability to
    intercept and decode ?encrypted data??

    They probably can and probably will do if demanded by law enforcement,
    etc..

    They can't and don't as part of their normal way of operating. That's
    the point.

    BTW, I don't understand why you're throwing Google in the mix, because
    Google is not involved in iMessage, nor WhatsApp.

    ('Facebook' is involved, if you actually mean to say 'Meta' (which
    WhatsApp is part of.)

    https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/794583/apple-support-communities-asc-forums-access/

    Fuck off, David.
    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan@nuh-uh@nope.com to comp.mobile.android,comp.sys.mac.system,misc.phone.mobile.iphone on Tue Feb 20 09:36:09 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 08:43, badgolferman wrote:
    Alan Browne wrote:

    On 2024-02-20 10:07, soyon wrote:
    David B. wrote on 20.02.2024 06:31
    https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/794583/apple-support-communities-asc-forums-access/

    Nice find.

    I love the post with the screenshot from Apple saying essentially
    that Apple's walled garden falls apart like a Potemkin village the
    instant you don't constantly and repeatedly, day after day, always
    log into Apple's servers (every day of your life, forever!) using
    the same Apple ID.

    Your basic premise is false and misleading (that you Arlen?) - and
    that you're echoing off of that idiot diminishes your very low
    standing even further.

    You can do everything on an iPhone communications wise that you can
    do with Android. That is e-mail, SMS/MMS, other messaging platforms,
    surf the web, etc. and so on, w/o being logged into Apple's system.
    And of course to the extent that 10's of thousands of apps provide
    their own servers, etc., those are also accessible w/o logging into
    Apple's servers.

    The benefit of being logged into iCloud is the other Apple provided
    services for communications and integration of services (as oft
    listed in the past). This is the "apple eco-system" that makes using
    using various Apple devices such as a Mac and iPhone so seamless and
    convenient. All of this over a very strongly encrypted
    communications system run by a company that sells products and
    services - not people's information - like Android producer Google.

    So, bleat out your nonsense attack on Apple again and again and
    again, it doesn't change the reality of things.


    Can you setup a new iPhone without an AppleID?

    Yup.

    30 seconds of personal research could have answered that for you.
    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 12:48:55 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 12:02, Oliver wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:45:18 -0500, Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote
    Data brokers maintain rather large matrices of data for any given key
    (name, e-mail address, etc.)

    Indeed, you are correct 'they' do a lot of mining of your personal data.

    "From ads to analytics, everyone's favorite 'privacy' company is doing
    more with your data than you might think." https://gizmodo.com/apple-iphone-ipad-privacy-problems-data-gathering-1849855092

    The degree to which Apple does collect data for use with partner co's is
    well identified in agreements you make with Apple to use their services.
    It is a pale shadow of what other co's do ... w/o disclosing anything at
    all.

    But do go on inflating the flat cushion as much as you can while
    ignoring the crush of the big cushions around you.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 12:53:50 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 12:43, Charlie wrote:
    On this Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:47:15 -0500, Alan Browne wrote:

    E2E encryption means exactly that.

    Except when E2E doesn't mean anything at all, which is when everyone is not fully inside the Apple walled garden (which requires an iCloud account).

    Yes, to use services such as iMessage you have to have an iCloud account
    and be logged in. Shocker. And billions do it happily because it is a
    far better experience (and very secure) than to not do so.
    And Apple do not charge for it - you get it gratis with you iPhone
    (iPad, Mac, etc.).


    Apple's own words are below from https://support.apple.com/en-us/102651

    "With standard data protection, iCloud content that you share with other people is not end-to-end encrypted.

    Removed the "!".

    This depends on the service - iMessage has been end-to-end for a long
    time and messaging is the context of the present topic.

    But do go on digging for the exceptions.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 14:16:20 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 13:23, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 04:57, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    badgolferman <REMOVETHISbadgolferman@gmail.com> wrote:
    [...]

    Regardless of what iOS can or cannot do, the fact remains that Google
    admits to using your private data, and even use it to make money. Does >>>> Apple do that?

    Google uses "your private data" to present ads to *you*. That's how
    they "make money", no "admit" nor "even" about it.

    If they would use "your private data" for any other purpose - without >>> your consent - they will be sued to smithereens, at least in the EU.

    As I've said many times before, contrary to all the FUD, urban legends, >>> and other nonsense which is frequently spouted in these groups, I have
    yet to experience *any* ill effect - i.e. 'spam', privacy issues, etc. - >>> from my use of Google products.

    When I browse Amazon for products, my girlfriend sees ads for some of
    them on her laptop within 24 hours.

    Same here. Probably you two are 'behind' a NAT router and 'hence'
    share the same IP, which makes it hard for the ad generation to tell you
    two apart. So much for the famous 'fingerprinting'.

    1) Yes, and 2) that's not what I was referring to by fingerprinting.

    And Google does not even *have* any of my "private data", other than >>> the data which I provided, which is limited to my name, my/their e-mail
    address, mobile number and birthday. That's it.

    Sad that you shared your birthday.

    I don't *share* my birthday, my Google *Account* has my birthday.

    So you "shared" your birthday with Google. Not smart. That data has
    since been sold to dozens of data brokers and onward to thousands of others.


    The public info ('About me') is only my name and my Gmail address. All other information can be disabled/locked and is disabled/locked.

    You don't know how it works. Every time an action you take on the
    internet with various websites, a little bit more is associated with you.

    The matrix proximate to you called Frank gets more data
    The matric proximate to you called Slootweg gets more data
    The matrix proximate to you called FS@someemail.com gets more data
    The matrix proximate to you called your birthday gets more data

    More matrices are created and eventually the statistics of one
    correlates with the stats of another - they partially coalesce into
    denser and denser matrices with a high probability of being related to
    you. This is innocuous - until it isn't.

    I use a fake birthday on all
    websites (except where legally required to use my real birth date:
    government tax sites, bank, driver's license and insurance).

    Same here.

    Not what you said earlier.


    Data brokers maintain rather large matrices of data for any given key
    (name, e-mail address, etc.) And as they "fill the blanks" and
    correlate and "fingerprint" your behaviour, the blank filling
    accelerates and the matrices of data condense making their portrait of
    you very accurate.

    They can't get everything, but they do get an astonishing amount of
    data. Do they use it "maliciously"? Not so much other than to sell the
    data to those wishing to target you to buy something.

    Yes, several posters keep talking about this alleged "astonishing
    amount of data", but as I explained, I don't see *any* ill effects
    (other than *misdirected* [1] ads). So this "astonishing amount of data" brings them exactly nothing.

    You haven't detected it doing anything harmful. Yet, the fact that
    bunches of corporations and data brokers know more about you than you
    realize only has potential to harm you.


    OTOH, if you end up in a legal dispute, you can be sure the adversary
    (some corporation) will also purchase that data in order to glean as
    much information to buttress their case (whether in defense or offense)
    against you.

    [1] Like ads for products I already (recently) purchased and for which
    the order, receipt, etc. are in my Gmail folders, which Google allegedly scans. So they're waste their clients money and my time on superfluous
    ads. Go figure!

    If you make an insurance claim, esp. for a medical issue while traveling outside your country (or coverage), you can be sure the ins. co will
    comb through the data looking for the slightest excuse to not pay a claim.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 14:18:33 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 13:34, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 12:02, Oliver wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:45:18 -0500, Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> >>> wrote
    Data brokers maintain rather large matrices of data for any given key
    (name, e-mail address, etc.)

    Indeed, you are correct 'they' do a lot of mining of your personal data. >>>
    "From ads to analytics, everyone's favorite 'privacy' company is doing
    more with your data than you might think."
    https://gizmodo.com/apple-iphone-ipad-privacy-problems-data-gathering-1849855092

    The degree to which Apple does collect data for use with partner co's is
    well identified in agreements you make with Apple to use their services.
    It is a pale shadow of what other co's do ... w/o disclosing anything at
    all.

    No offense, but "what other co's do" is a rather meaningless, unsubstantiated slur. Most companies I know of, also document in
    agreements what they do and don't do. Often in painstakingly detail,
    which is actually the real problem, because most people are not going to read/understand it all and just tap/click 'Agree'.

    You have no idea what is being collected about you by Google w/o them
    telling you anything at all; and then the co's they sell your data to, certainly do not come running to you to ask permission to what they want
    with your data.


    But do go on inflating the flat cushion as much as you can while
    ignoring the crush of the big cushions around you.

    Ah, big cushions! Nice and fluffy!

    Until inflated to max capacity when they are as hard as truck tires.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Carlos E.R.@robin_listas@es.invalid to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 20:23:28 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 19:23, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 04:57, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    badgolferman <REMOVETHISbadgolferman@gmail.com> wrote:
    [...]


    They can't get everything, but they do get an astonishing amount of
    data. Do they use it "maliciously"? Not so much other than to sell the
    data to those wishing to target you to buy something.

    Yes, several posters keep talking about this alleged "astonishing
    amount of data", but as I explained, I don't see *any* ill effects
    (other than *misdirected* [1] ads). So this "astonishing amount of data" brings them exactly nothing.

    OTOH, if you end up in a legal dispute, you can be sure the adversary
    (some corporation) will also purchase that data in order to glean as
    much information to buttress their case (whether in defense or offense)
    against you.

    [1] Like ads for products I already (recently) purchased and for which
    the order, receipt, etc. are in my Gmail folders, which Google allegedly scans. So they're waste their clients money and my time on superfluous
    ads. Go figure!

    Same here. Waste of computer time on their part.
    --
    Cheers, Carlos.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Carlos E.R.@robin_listas@es.invalid to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 20:20:21 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 16:45, Alan Browne wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 04:57, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    badgolferman <REMOVETHISbadgolferman@gmail.com> wrote:
    [...]

    Regardless of what iOS can or cannot do, the fact remains that Google
    admits to using your private data, and even use it to make money. Does
    Apple do that?

       Google uses "your private data" to present ads to *you*. That's how
    they "make money", no "admit" nor "even" about it.

       If they would use "your private data" for any other purpose - without >> your consent - they will be sued to smithereens, at least in the EU.

       As I've said many times before, contrary to all the FUD, urban
    legends,
    and other nonsense which is frequently spouted in these groups, I have
    yet to experience *any* ill effect - i.e. 'spam', privacy issues, etc. -
    from my use of Google products.

    When I browse Amazon for products, my girlfriend sees ads for some of
    them on her laptop within 24 hours.


    You share or shared something with them. Like, once you used her
    computer to buy something at Amazon. You did something that, within the
    terms and conditions, allowed them to link both machines or users.

    Doesn't happen to me. I use a separate FF profile for searching at
    Amazon, and yet another one for purchasing.

    ...
    --
    Cheers, Carlos.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan@nuh-uh@nope.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 13:55:11 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 13:32, Andrew wrote:
    Alan wrote on Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:22:00 -0800 :

    Don't make me look it up if you don't believe it - first look it up.
    Then come back and tell me Apple didn't get sued for lying about privacy. >>
    Why don't you show your support.

    Idiot.

    I know you are but what am I?

    (Yes, child: that is the level of discourse you have chosen, so I choose
    to respond in kind)>


    The user badgolferman was smart enough to have looked it up before even thinking of denying it - but you appear to be too stupid to look it up.

    https://9to5mac.com/2023/01/09/apple-privacy-tracking-lawsuit/
    Apple is facing another class action lawsuit over its practice of
    collecting and sending analytics data from iPhone users,
    regardless of whether or not the user gave consent.

    You appear too stupid to understand that allegations are not proof.


    Since you are an idiot, I realize you won't click on the link before
    denying everything contained in it so I will not be reading nor responding
    to more of your idiocy.

    The user badgolferman was a lot smarter than you are as he apparently
    looked it up since it's extremely well published information world wide.

    "What ultimately comes of these lawsuits remains to be seen."

    Apparently, your reading comprehension level wasn't sufficient to
    understand that very simple sentence.
    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan@nuh-uh@nope.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 14:02:27 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 12:54, Wolf Greenblatt wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:16:20 -0500, Alan Browne wrote:

    You don't know how it works. Every time an action you take on the
    internet with various websites, a little bit more is associated with you.

    You're correct that Apple knows everything you do with your unique Apple ID as was recently described in this information technology privacy report.

    You apparently don't understand...


    Your iOS app may still be covertly tracking you, despite what Apple says https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/04/a-year-after-apple-enforces-app-tracking-policy-covert-ios-tracking-remains/


    ...that Apple is not:

    "companies, particularly large ones like Google and Facebook, to work
    around the protections and stockpile even more data."

    The paper warned that despite Apple's insincere promise of more
    transparency, ATT might gives its users a false sense of security.

    Weird that you left that out of the paragraph you quoted above this paragraph...

    ...isn't it?


    "The researchers identified nine iOS apps that used server-side code to generate a mutual user identifier that a subsidiary of the Chinese tech company Alibaba can use for cross-app tracking. "The sharing of device information for purposes of fingerprinting would be in violation of Apple's policies, which do not allow developers to 'derive data from a device for
    the purpose of uniquely identifying it,'" the researchers wrote.

    "nine iOS apps".

    How many of them were Apple's?


    The researchers also said that Apple isn't required to follow the policy in many cases, making it possible for Apple to further add to the stockpile of data it collects. They noted that Apple also exempts tracking for purposes
    of "obtaining information on a consumer's creditworthiness for the specific purpose of making a credit determination."

    Representatives from Apple declined to comment. Alibaba representatives didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

    Based on a comparison of 1,685 apps published before and after ATT went
    into effect, the number of tracking libraries they used remained roughly
    the same. The most widely used libraries-including Apple's SKAdNetwork, Google Firebase Analytics, and Google Crashlytics-didn't change. Almost a quarter of the studied apps claimed that they didn't collect any user data, but the majority of them-80 percent-contained at least one tracker library.

    On average, the research found, apps that claimed they didn't collect user data nonetheless contained 1.8 tracking libraries and contacted 2.5
    tracking companies. Of apps that used SKAdNetwork, Google Firebase
    Analytics, and Google Crashlytics, more than half failed to disclose having access to user data. The Facebook SDK fared slightly better with about a 47 percent failure rate."

    '6 CONCLUSIONS & FUTURE WORK

    Overall, we find that Apple’s new policies largely live up to its
    promises on making tracking more difficult.'

    <https://arxiv.org/pdf/2204.03556.pdf>

    Small wonder you failed to include this.
    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 18:04:23 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 15:07, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 13:34, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 12:02, Oliver wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:45:18 -0500, Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> >>>>> wrote
    Data brokers maintain rather large matrices of data for any given key >>>>>> (name, e-mail address, etc.)

    Indeed, you are correct 'they' do a lot of mining of your personal data. >>>>>
    "From ads to analytics, everyone's favorite 'privacy' company is doing >>>>> more with your data than you might think."
    https://gizmodo.com/apple-iphone-ipad-privacy-problems-data-gathering-1849855092

    The degree to which Apple does collect data for use with partner co's is >>>> well identified in agreements you make with Apple to use their services. >>>> It is a pale shadow of what other co's do ... w/o disclosing anything at >>>> all.

    No offense, but "what other co's do" is a rather meaningless,
    unsubstantiated slur. Most companies I know of, also document in
    agreements what they do and don't do. Often in painstakingly detail,
    which is actually the real problem, because most people are not going to >>> read/understand it all and just tap/click 'Agree'.

    You have no idea what is being collected about you by Google w/o them
    telling you anything at all; and then the co's they sell your data to,
    certainly do not come running to you to ask permission to what they want
    with your data.

    Sorry to rain on your Apple-biased parade, but Google documents in
    detail what they collect and how it's used by them and their partners.

    Nothing to do with Apple.

    Google is in the information bartering business. You are the product.


    And all of the functionality can be enabled/disabled in your account.
    And if anything changes - changes, additions, deletions, etc. - you get e-mail and notifications. I've disabled anything which even smells of 'personalization', hence my postive, privacy-safe experience.

    As usual, it's people who are *not* using the products/services of company Y (Can't say 'X", can I? :-)), who spout all kinds of FUD, urban legends, etc. on how bad company Y is.

    You have been / are on the receiving end of this as they spout similar crap about Apple, so it would be nice if you showed the same
    objectivity, which you expect of others.

    [Cue AJL! :-)]

    But do go on inflating the flat cushion as much as you can while
    ignoring the crush of the big cushions around you.

    Ah, big cushions! Nice and fluffy!

    Until inflated to max capacity when they are as hard as truck tires.

    Mine are nice and soft. Just enough air to be soft, but not too much
    to become dangerous. But then I've a brain and am not afraid to use it.

    How nice. Must be lonely /s.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 18:11:04 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 15:52, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 13:23, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 04:57, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    badgolferman <REMOVETHISbadgolferman@gmail.com> wrote:
    [...]

    Regardless of what iOS can or cannot do, the fact remains that Google >>>>>> admits to using your private data, and even use it to make money. Does >>>>>> Apple do that?

    Google uses "your private data" to present ads to *you*. That's how >>>>> they "make money", no "admit" nor "even" about it.

    If they would use "your private data" for any other purpose - without
    your consent - they will be sued to smithereens, at least in the EU. >>>>>
    As I've said many times before, contrary to all the FUD, urban legends,
    and other nonsense which is frequently spouted in these groups, I have >>>>> yet to experience *any* ill effect - i.e. 'spam', privacy issues, etc. - >>>>> from my use of Google products.

    When I browse Amazon for products, my girlfriend sees ads for some of
    them on her laptop within 24 hours.

    Same here. Probably you two are 'behind' a NAT router and 'hence'
    share the same IP, which makes it hard for the ad generation to tell you >>> two apart. So much for the famous 'fingerprinting'.

    1) Yes, and 2) that's not what I was referring to by fingerprinting.

    I know. Here I am saying that *browser* fingerprinting apparently
    isn't working. If it was, the ad should be able to target you, instead
    of your girlfriend.

    You took one thing to be something that it isn't. The ad targeted at
    her was due to IP address and had nothing to do with fingerprinting.


    And Google does not even *have* any of my "private data", other than >>>>> the data which I provided, which is limited to my name, my/their e-mail >>>>> address, mobile number and birthday. That's it.

    Sad that you shared your birthday.

    I don't *share* my birthday, my Google *Account* has my birthday.

    So you "shared" your birthday with Google. Not smart. That data has
    since been sold to dozens of data brokers and onward to thousands of others.

    Nope. Wrong continent. Google can't use - let alone sell - my account
    data without my explicit approval, especially since I've specifically
    turned off most sections of my public data. If they did, they would face
    very hefty and repeated penalties. EU GDPR and all that.

    And they do. They don't care. The fines they pay are cost of doing
    business.



    The public info ('About me') is only my name and my Gmail address. All >>> other information can be disabled/locked and is disabled/locked.

    You don't know how it works. Every time an action you take on the
    internet with various websites, a little bit more is associated with you.

    The matrix proximate to you called Frank gets more data

    Sorry to rain on your parade, but my browser does not reveal my name
    (just verified again with GRC's Shields UP!!).

    The matric proximate to you called Slootweg gets more data
    The matrix proximate to you called FS@someemail.com gets more data
    The matrix proximate to you called your birthday gets more data

    Same for these three.

    *If* *I* provide any of this information, I do so in creating an
    account, a commercial transaction, etc. and all these websites are bound
    by the same EU laws with hefty penalties.

    See above. Profit trumps.


    More matrices are created and eventually the statistics of one
    correlates with the stats of another - they partially coalesce into
    denser and denser matrices with a high probability of being related to
    you. This is innocuous - until it isn't.

    That's the FUD and urban legends which are spouted. I don't dispute
    that these things can/will happen to not-so-smart people or/and outside
    the EU.

    But they don't happen to *me*. I do get *no* personalized ads, I get
    *no* 'spam' (UCE/UBE), I get *no* unsollicited phone calls/SMS, etc..

    That is not the sole use of the data collected about you. It has value
    in ways that are not related to advertising or selling to you.


    I use a fake birthday on all
    websites (except where legally required to use my real birth date:
    government tax sites, bank, driver's license and insurance).

    Same here.

    Not what you said earlier.

    I said my real birthday is in my Google *Account*. You apparently
    assumed that's public info, but it isn't.

    I never claimed it was public info. But it is info Amazon have (and use
    and sell). You were a fool to give that up to them.


    On websites, I do the same as you (give no birthday or a fake one if
    the website insists and only use my real birthday where legally
    required).

    Amazon doesn't use a website? Wow, I really ...


    Data brokers maintain rather large matrices of data for any given key
    (name, e-mail address, etc.) And as they "fill the blanks" and
    correlate and "fingerprint" your behaviour, the blank filling
    accelerates and the matrices of data condense making their portrait of >>>> you very accurate.

    They can't get everything, but they do get an astonishing amount of
    data. Do they use it "maliciously"? Not so much other than to sell the >>>> data to those wishing to target you to buy something.

    Yes, several posters keep talking about this alleged "astonishing
    amount of data", but as I explained, I don't see *any* ill effects
    (other than *misdirected* [1] ads). So this "astonishing amount of data" >>> brings them exactly nothing.

    You haven't detected it doing anything harmful. Yet, the fact that
    bunches of corporations and data brokers know more about you than you
    realize only has potential to harm you.

    Sorry, but this is way too much FUD, urban legend and conspiracy
    theory for my taste. There's no substance whatsoever. Yes, there are
    dangers from being on the net, but *this* 'danger' for *me*, is much
    much lower on the to-worry-about scale than most - if not all- others.

    Sorry, but this is specifically what data aggregators and brokers do.
    Unseen by you and always pervasive.


    OTOH, if you end up in a legal dispute, you can be sure the adversary
    (some corporation) will also purchase that data in order to glean as
    much information to buttress their case (whether in defense or offense) >>>> against you.

    [1] Like ads for products I already (recently) purchased and for which
    the order, receipt, etc. are in my Gmail folders, which Google allegedly >>> scans. So they're waste their clients money and my time on superfluous
    ads. Go figure!

    If you make an insurance claim, esp. for a medical issue while traveling
    outside your country (or coverage), you can be sure the ins. co will
    comb through the data looking for the slightest excuse to not pay a claim.

    Guess I was lucky then when our EUR 50K claim - the largest parts for
    the medical bills - went through without a hitch!

    Never claimed it would cause a denial. But depending on the
    circumstances, you can be sure such data is examined.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 18:11:53 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 15:54, Wolf Greenblatt wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:16:20 -0500, Alan Browne wrote:

    You don't know how it works. Every time an action you take on the
    internet with various websites, a little bit more is associated with you.

    You're correct

    Yes. And what I was referring to had nothing to do with Apple.

    Lame try. Do grow up.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 18:14:09 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 16:50, david wrote:
    Using <news:ur38nk.ru4.1@ID-201911.user.individual.net>, Frank Slootweg wrote:

    I've been switching off all unwanted tracking, in my Google
    Account, in the Google/Samsung parts of my phone, in the Microsoft parts
    of my Windows laptop, etc..

    I wonder if the most Apple users are using Google Maps on their iPhones?

    Locally I use Apple; on long road trips I've mostly used Google Maps
    (better planning). But Apple Maps has improved in this regard, so next
    long trip I'll try sticking to Apple.

    That said, finding a particular kind of store is usually better done
    with Google Maps no matter where I am.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 20 18:15:27 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 16:57, Gelato wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:53:50 -0500, Alan Browne wrote:

    iMessage has been end-to-end for a long
    time and messaging is the context of the present topic.

    That "long time" was only a short time ago. https://www.tomsguide.com/news/icloud-backup-encryption

    "While data stored locally on iPhones and iPads are fully encrypted by default, and communications over iMessage are end-to-end encrypted as well, Apple has yet to extend the same security to backups stored on iCloud."

    Re-read what you cite for comprehension v. what I wrote.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Wed Feb 21 08:12:17 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20 20:48, Gelato wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 18:15:27 -0500, Alan Browne wrote:

    https://www.tomsguide.com/news/icloud-backup-encryption

    "While data stored locally on iPhones and iPads are fully encrypted by
    default, and communications over iMessage are end-to-end encrypted as well, >>> Apple has yet to extend the same security to backups stored on iCloud."

    Re-read what you cite for comprehension v. what I wrote.

    The point was the article discussed what few people realize which is the encryption key was known to Apple for all their iMessage data on iCloud.

    End to end encryption means nothing when a company has the encryption key.

    Again, in the context of iMessage (which is the context of this thread),
    it has been E2EE for quite some time - ie: Apple could not read such
    messages.

    Unless one backs up their iMessages in iCloud, there is no message at
    rest on iCloud. Personally I find no reason to do so.

    Where other services have data at rest on their servers (other iCloud services) there were (and are) some data sets where Apple do have the
    keys to such data. OTOH, Apple is a trustworthy company - so why worry?

    And of course, they are making such data inaccessible to themselves over
    time as they continue their very structured approach to privacy. See
    Advanced Data Protection - caveat: if you lose the keys, you lose the data.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Wed Feb 21 08:15:14 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-21 04:28, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 15:07, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 13:34, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 12:02, Oliver wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:45:18 -0500, Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com>
    wrote
    Data brokers maintain rather large matrices of data for any given key >>>>>>>> (name, e-mail address, etc.)

    Indeed, you are correct 'they' do a lot of mining of your personal data.

    "From ads to analytics, everyone's favorite 'privacy' company is doing >>>>>>> more with your data than you might think."
    https://gizmodo.com/apple-iphone-ipad-privacy-problems-data-gathering-1849855092

    The degree to which Apple does collect data for use with partner co's is >>>>>> well identified in agreements you make with Apple to use their services. >>>>>> It is a pale shadow of what other co's do ... w/o disclosing anything at >>>>>> all.

    No offense, but "what other co's do" is a rather meaningless,
    unsubstantiated slur. Most companies I know of, also document in
    agreements what they do and don't do. Often in painstakingly detail, >>>>> which is actually the real problem, because most people are not going to >>>>> read/understand it all and just tap/click 'Agree'.

    You have no idea what is being collected about you by Google w/o them
    telling you anything at all; and then the co's they sell your data to, >>>> certainly do not come running to you to ask permission to what they want >>>> with your data.

    Sorry to rain on your Apple-biased parade, but Google documents in
    detail what they collect and how it's used by them and their partners.

    Nothing to do with Apple.

    Everything to do with Apple. You say that Apple documents the degree to which they collect data in their agreements with their customers and
    imply that other companies - and specifically Google - don't do that.

    That's your Apple-bias, because, as I described, Google *does*
    document what they collect/do.

    It's not Apple bias. It was a description of Google's core revenue
    model: the user is the product. That you raise Apple as a deflection
    from it is on you.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Carlos E.R.@robin_listas@es.invalid to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Wed Feb 21 14:19:25 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-21 14:15, Alan Browne wrote:
    On 2024-02-21 04:28, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 15:07, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 13:34, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 12:02, Oliver wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:45:18 -0500, Alan Browne
    <bitbucket@blackhole.com>
    wrote
    Data brokers maintain rather large matrices of data for any >>>>>>>>> given key
    (name, e-mail address, etc.)

    Indeed, you are correct 'they' do a lot of mining of your
    personal data.

    "From ads to analytics, everyone's favorite 'privacy' company is >>>>>>>> doing
    more with your data than you might think."
    https://gizmodo.com/apple-iphone-ipad-privacy-problems-data-gathering-1849855092

    The degree to which Apple does collect data for use with partner >>>>>>> co's is
    well identified in agreements you make with Apple to use their
    services.
    It is a pale shadow of what other co's do ... w/o disclosing
    anything at
    all.

         No offense, but "what other co's do" is a rather meaningless, >>>>>> unsubstantiated slur. Most companies I know of, also document in
    agreements what they do and don't do. Often in painstakingly detail, >>>>>> which is actually the real problem, because most people are not
    going to
    read/understand it all and just tap/click 'Agree'.

    You have no idea what is being collected about you by Google w/o them >>>>> telling you anything at all; and then the co's they sell your data to, >>>>> certainly do not come running to you to ask permission to what they >>>>> want
    with your data.

        Sorry to rain on your Apple-biased parade, but Google documents in >>>> detail what they collect and how it's used by them and their partners.

    Nothing to do with Apple.

       Everything to do with Apple. You say that Apple documents the
    degree to
    which they collect data in their agreements with their customers and
    imply that other companies - and specifically Google - don't do that.

       That's your Apple-bias, because, as I described, Google *does*
    document what they collect/do.

    It's not Apple bias.  It was a description of Google's core revenue
    model: the user is the product.  That you raise Apple as a deflection
    from it is on you.

    The user is the product, but following the rules, which are published
    and are binding, same as Apple.
    --
    Cheers, Carlos.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Wed Feb 21 08:24:19 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-21 05:12, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 15:52, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 13:23, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 04:57, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    badgolferman <REMOVETHISbadgolferman@gmail.com> wrote:
    [...]

    Regardless of what iOS can or cannot do, the fact remains that Google >>>>>>>> admits to using your private data, and even use it to make money. Does >>>>>>>> Apple do that?

    Google uses "your private data" to present ads to *you*. That's how
    they "make money", no "admit" nor "even" about it.

    If they would use "your private data" for any other purpose - without
    your consent - they will be sued to smithereens, at least in the EU. >>>>>>>
    As I've said many times before, contrary to all the FUD, urban legends,
    and other nonsense which is frequently spouted in these groups, I have >>>>>>> yet to experience *any* ill effect - i.e. 'spam', privacy issues, etc. -
    from my use of Google products.

    When I browse Amazon for products, my girlfriend sees ads for some of >>>>>> them on her laptop within 24 hours.

    Same here. Probably you two are 'behind' a NAT router and 'hence' >>>>> share the same IP, which makes it hard for the ad generation to tell you >>>>> two apart. So much for the famous 'fingerprinting'.

    1) Yes, and 2) that's not what I was referring to by fingerprinting.

    I know. Here I am saying that *browser* fingerprinting apparently
    isn't working. If it was, the ad should be able to target you, instead
    of your girlfriend.

    You took one thing to be something that it isn't. The ad targeted at
    her was due to IP address and had nothing to do with fingerprinting.

    Duh! That's what I'm saying. They *should* - at least - have used
    browser fingerprinting, but they didn't.

    And Google does not even *have* any of my "private data", other than
    the data which I provided, which is limited to my name, my/their e-mail >>>>>>> address, mobile number and birthday. That's it.

    Sad that you shared your birthday.

    I don't *share* my birthday, my Google *Account* has my birthday. >>>>
    So you "shared" your birthday with Google. Not smart. That data has
    since been sold to dozens of data brokers and onward to thousands of others.

    Nope. Wrong continent. Google can't use - let alone sell - my account >>> data without my explicit approval, especially since I've specifically
    turned off most sections of my public data. If they did, they would face >>> very hefty and repeated penalties. EU GDPR and all that.

    And they do. They don't care. The fines they pay are cost of doing
    business.

    More FUD. Where's your proof, facts, etc.? Yes, Google, Apple, the
    lot, get frequent hefty fines, but not for selling data from people's
    account which they specifically turned off. When doing business,
    companies have to prove that they need certain data - i.e. in this
    example someone's birthday - in order to be able to do business. If they can't prove that, that's by default a violation.

    They don't have to prove a thing. The prosecution has to prove
    malfeasance. Google only needs to defend to the best they can. They do
    not open their Kimono.



    other information can be disabled/locked and is disabled/locked.

    You don't know how it works. Every time an action you take on the
    internet with various websites, a little bit more is associated with you. >>>>
    The matrix proximate to you called Frank gets more data

    Sorry to rain on your parade, but my browser does not reveal my name >>> (just verified again with GRC's Shields UP!!).

    The matric proximate to you called Slootweg gets more data
    The matrix proximate to you called FS@someemail.com gets more data
    The matrix proximate to you called your birthday gets more data

    Same for these three.

    *If* *I* provide any of this information, I do so in creating an
    account, a commercial transaction, etc. and all these websites are bound >>> by the same EU laws with hefty penalties.

    See above. Profit trumps.

    Nope. There are limits to what they can do. Besides the hefty fines,
    the lawsuits, the reputation damage, etc. they can be banned from doing
    any business at all. Google, Apple, et al have been repeatedly beaten
    into submission. It works. (BTW, Apple just got another 500M Euro fine
    for violating EU rules for music streaming services (reported by the Financial Times).)

    See below[AAA]


    More matrices are created and eventually the statistics of one
    correlates with the stats of another - they partially coalesce into
    denser and denser matrices with a high probability of being related to >>>> you. This is innocuous - until it isn't.

    That's the FUD and urban legends which are spouted. I don't dispute
    that these things can/will happen to not-so-smart people or/and outside
    the EU.

    But they don't happen to *me*. I do get *no* personalized ads, I get >>> *no* 'spam' (UCE/UBE), I get *no* unsollicited phone calls/SMS, etc..

    That is not the sole use of the data collected about you. It has value
    in ways that are not related to advertising or selling to you.

    Yes, I know. As I said, (with my precautions) sofar, so good. (As I
    said (see quote below),) Much higher dangers than this to worry about.

    [AAA.1]
    Point is: you do not know. You believe you know. But you have zero
    idea of what is happening with your information that Google have
    collected on you and re-sold to others. You have no idea what these
    others are doing with it.

    [AAA.2]
    You believe you are wrapped in the protections of EU law, but you have
    no idea how data above you is collected, stored, processed and used
    outside of the legal confine of the EU ... but is still useful to some
    co. somewhere at some time.


    I use a fake birthday on all
    websites (except where legally required to use my real birth date: >>>>>> government tax sites, bank, driver's license and insurance).

    Same here.

    Not what you said earlier.

    I said my real birthday is in my Google *Account*. You apparently
    assumed that's public info, but it isn't.

    I never claimed it was public info. But it is info Amazon have (and use
    and sell). You were a fool to give that up to them.

    Huh? Amazon? What stuff are you on? I never mentioned Amazon.

    Quite right. As I'm on this thread I'm also shopping for parts on Amazon
    - fuddled my message. Astounding that I can find a Chinese co. making replacement parts for a near 30 year old American made tool - and it's
    here a few days later...


    On websites, I do the same as you (give no birthday or a fake one if >>> the website insists and only use my real birthday where legally
    required).

    Amazon doesn't use a website? Wow, I really ...

    Yes, they do. Your *point* being? (Clue-by-four: I don't use Amazon.
    Guess why.)

    Substitute the word "Amazon" above for Google. Re-compute.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Wed Feb 21 08:32:18 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-21 05:12, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    (BTW, Apple just got another 500M Euro fine
    for violating EU rules for music streaming services (reported by the Financial Times).)

    Nope. Apple are expected to be fined in March.

    And of course Apple will fight it.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Wed Feb 21 10:10:08 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-21 08:39, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-21 04:28, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 15:07, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 13:34, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 12:02, Oliver wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:45:18 -0500, Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com>
    wrote
    Data brokers maintain rather large matrices of data for any given key
    (name, e-mail address, etc.)

    Indeed, you are correct 'they' do a lot of mining of your personal data.

    "From ads to analytics, everyone's favorite 'privacy' company is doing
    more with your data than you might think."
    https://gizmodo.com/apple-iphone-ipad-privacy-problems-data-gathering-1849855092

    The degree to which Apple does collect data for use with partner co's is
    well identified in agreements you make with Apple to use their services.
    It is a pale shadow of what other co's do ... w/o disclosing anything at
    all.

    No offense, but "what other co's do" is a rather meaningless, >>>>>>> unsubstantiated slur. Most companies I know of, also document in >>>>>>> agreements what they do and don't do. Often in painstakingly detail, >>>>>>> which is actually the real problem, because most people are not going to
    read/understand it all and just tap/click 'Agree'.

    You have no idea what is being collected about you by Google w/o them >>>>>> telling you anything at all; and then the co's they sell your data to, >>>>>> certainly do not come running to you to ask permission to what they want >>>>>> with your data.

    Sorry to rain on your Apple-biased parade, but Google documents in >>>>> detail what they collect and how it's used by them and their partners. >>>>
    Nothing to do with Apple.

    Everything to do with Apple. You say that Apple documents the degree to >>> which they collect data in their agreements with their customers and
    imply that other companies - and specifically Google - don't do that.

    That's your Apple-bias, because, as I described, Google *does*
    document what they collect/do.

    It's not Apple bias. It was a description of Google's core revenue
    model: the user is the product. That you raise Apple as a deflection
    from it is on you.

    Nice try, but no cigar. *You* mentioned Apple's practices *first* and slurred "other co's". Then *you* brought up Google as an example of
    these "other co's". I countered your slur with facts on what Google is
    doing.

    Completely de-coupled, actually, and deliberately so.


    So any deflection is on you.

    As to the "the user is the product", that's true for most if not all
    free services and - as I explained - in the Google case, the user has
    several controls on what the 'product' does and does not conprise.

    But don't let that stop your unsubstantiated contentless rants.

    AFAIC. EOD.

    Yes, I was coming to that too.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Jolly Roger@jollyroger@pobox.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Wed Feb 21 17:21:30 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20, Gelato <gelato@> wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:53:50 -0500, Alan Browne wrote:

    iMessage has been end-to-end for a long time and messaging is the
    context of the present topic.

    That "long time" was only a short time ago. https://www.tomsguide.com/news/icloud-backup-encryption

    "While data stored locally on iPhones and iPads are fully encrypted by default, and communications over iMessage are end-to-end encrypted as
    well, Apple has yet to extend the same security to backups stored on
    iCloud."

    Tell me you aren't this dumb. iCloud Backups are not messages.

    iMessage has indeed been end-to-end encrypted for a long, long time.

    Backups are also end-to-end encrypted when you enable Advanced Data
    Protection which was introduced with iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2 and macOS
    13.1.
    --
    E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
    I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

    JR
    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Jolly Roger@jollyroger@pobox.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Wed Feb 21 17:24:19 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-21, Gelato <gelato@> wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 18:15:27 -0500, Alan Browne wrote:

    https://www.tomsguide.com/news/icloud-backup-encryption

    "While data stored locally on iPhones and iPads are fully encrypted
    by default, and communications over iMessage are end-to-end
    encrypted as well, Apple has yet to extend the same security to
    backups stored on iCloud."

    Re-read what you cite for comprehension v. what I wrote.

    The point was the article discussed what few people realize which is
    the encryption key was known to Apple for all their iMessage data on
    iCloud.

    Nope. Wrong again. IF you use the OPTIONAL iCloud Backups feature - as
    opposed to backing up to your own computer, and you don't enabled
    Advanced Data Protection, your backup contains a copy of your iMessage encryption key. Nuance is hard, y'all! 🤣

    End to end encryption means nothing when a company has the encryption
    key.

    Don't back up to iCloud, or enable Advanced Data Protection. "Problem"
    solved, like magic!
    --
    E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
    I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

    JR
    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Jolly Roger@jollyroger@pobox.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Wed Feb 21 17:27:51 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-20, Alan <nuh-uh@nope.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 12:54, Wolf Greenblatt wrote:
    On Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:16:20 -0500, Alan Browne wrote:

    You don't know how it works. Every time an action you take on the
    internet with various websites, a little bit more is associated with
    you.

    You're correct that Apple knows everything you do with your unique
    Apple ID as was recently described in this information technology
    privacy report.

    You apparently don't understand...

    Your iOS app may still be covertly tracking you, despite what Apple
    says

    ...that Apple is not:

    "companies, particularly large ones like Google and Facebook, to work
    around the protections and stockpile even more data."

    The paper warned that despite Apple's insincere promise of more
    transparency, ATT might gives its users a false sense of security.

    Weird that you left that out of the paragraph you quoted above this paragraph...

    ...isn't it?


    "The researchers identified nine iOS apps that used server-side code
    to generate a mutual user identifier that a subsidiary of the Chinese
    tech company Alibaba can use for cross-app tracking. "The sharing of
    device information for purposes of fingerprinting would be in
    violation of Apple's policies, which do not allow developers to
    'derive data from a device for the purpose of uniquely identifying
    it,'" the researchers wrote.

    "nine iOS apps".

    How many of them were Apple's?

    I'll hazard a guess: Zero.

    blah blah blah

    '6 CONCLUSIONS & FUTURE WORK

    Overall, we find that Apple’s new policies largely live up to its
    promises on making tracking more difficult.'

    <https://arxiv.org/pdf/2204.03556.pdf>

    Small wonder you failed to include this.

    Weak troll's gonna troll.
    --
    E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
    I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

    JR
    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Wed Feb 21 20:19:48 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-21 11:36, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    [Disclaimer: Yes, I said EOD, but it took a while for this mind-boggler
    to sink in.]

    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-21 05:12, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-20 15:52, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    [...]

    I said my real birthday is in my Google *Account*. You apparently >>>>> assumed that's public info, but it isn't.

    I never claimed it was public info. But it is info Amazon have (and use >>>> and sell). You were a fool to give that up to them.

    Huh? Amazon? What stuff are you on? I never mentioned Amazon.

    Quite right. As I'm on this thread I'm also shopping for parts on Amazon
    - fuddled my message. Astounding that I can find a Chinese co. making
    replacement parts for a near 30 year old American made tool - and it's
    here a few days later...

    You're not serious, are you!?

    Here you are lecturing someone, who is using a tightly controlled
    Google Account, on the alleged severe privacy risks of such use, while

    Tightly controlled in your opinion. Sort of like canoeing on a calm
    river w/o knowing what is below.

    you are shopping at *Amazon*!

    Who doesn't? And Amazon know less about me than Google other than the
    trivial amount of purchases I do at Amazon. (about $500 / year - maybe).



    So Amazon having, using and selling your personal information is
    perfectly fine in your book, but if (you say) Google does so, it's the
    end of the world as we know it!?


    Sorry, but you can't have it both ways.

    And you say you use *Google* *Maps*! Bad boy, bad boy, bad bad boy!

    I use all sorts of maps. For short trips Apple is better (for me) for
    longer trips, Google is better - and certainly has better content w/r to merchants, hotels, restaurants, etc.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Thu Feb 22 09:00:09 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-22 05:43, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Anyway, with you shopping at Amazon, you've shown that we should not
    take your stance on privacy issues all that seriously.

    What Amazon knows about me is a pale shadow of what Google knows about you.

    Face it. You have 0 clue what Google collect about you.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Thu Feb 22 14:06:18 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-22 09:40, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-22 05:43, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Anyway, with you shopping at Amazon, you've shown that we should not >>> take your stance on privacy issues all that seriously.

    What Amazon knows about me is a pale shadow of what Google knows about you.

    So you keep saying, but you have exactly zilch to back up your
    *opinion*, *both* ways.

    Face it. You have 0 clue what Google collect about you.

    Because someone on Usenet says so, without providing any proof or
    facts? <barf!>

    The old "ridicule it and it will go away retort" is tired and weak.
    Esp. as Google have had 2+ decades to accumulate data on you (and still do).

    And (pro tip) their use of what they know about you is not restricted to
    ads. That is only part of it.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Jolly Roger@jollyroger@pobox.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Thu Feb 22 20:15:19 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-22, Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-22 09:40, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
    On 2024-02-22 05:43, Frank Slootweg wrote:
    Anyway, with you shopping at Amazon, you've shown that we should not >>>> take your stance on privacy issues all that seriously.

    What Amazon knows about me is a pale shadow of what Google knows about you. >>
    So you keep saying, but you have exactly zilch to back up your
    *opinion*, *both* ways.

    Face it. You have 0 clue what Google collect about you.

    Because someone on Usenet says so, without providing any proof or
    facts? <barf!>

    The old "ridicule it and it will go away retort" is tired and weak.
    Esp. as Google have had 2+ decades to accumulate data on you (and still do).

    And (pro tip) their use of what they know about you is not restricted to ads. That is only part of it.

    Direct line to NSA and GCH being included in that list.
    --
    E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
    I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

    JR
    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Sun Feb 25 20:27:44 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Alan Browne, 2024-02-18 21:26:

    On 2024-02-18 14:46, Arno Welzel wrote:
    [...]
    Well - Microsoft Edge and Bing are not considered a "core platform
    service" due to their low market share.


    Please cite where those are the reasons the newly sober European
    Commission made that decision.

    Well - that's the only logical reason. A system which is only used by
    3-5% of all users can hardly be seen as "core platform service".

    IOW you don't know why, precisely, they made this decision.

    Correct. But I don't see any other reason. Why else should one decide if
    a service is a "core platform" if not because market share?
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Sun Feb 25 20:30:02 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    sms, 2024-02-19 04:44:

    [...]
    Obviously Apple decided that the downside of making iMessage a core
    platform outweighed the upside. At least in the U.S., iMessage is one of
    the major reasons that consumers choose iPhones over Android devices.

    In the U.S. iPhones have a bigger market share in general. And since
    iMessage is only available on iOS there is of course no other way then
    getting an iPhone if you want to keep in touch with others using that
    platform. But that's not because iMessage is so great - there is just no
    other choice.
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Sun Feb 25 20:31:55 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Andrew, 2024-02-19 06:28:

    [...]
    These are computers.
    Picking platforms by default app is as ridiculous as is anyone who does it.

    Well - if you have many friends or collegues who use iMessage then there
    is no choice to use Android. iMessage is not available for Android, only
    on iOS. Good luck trying to convince dozens of other people to install
    your favourite messenger instead to keep in touch with you.
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Sun Feb 25 20:37:17 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    sms, 2024-02-20 00:07:

    On 2/19/2024 9:14 AM, Andrew wrote:

    <snip>

    I read and understood what sms said which if it's true, means the decision >> to buy an iPhone is based on absurd criteria, since it's ridiculous to
    choose a platform by a single default app, such as a browser or messenger. >>
    I'm not saying people don't do it.
    I'm saying it's an absurd reason for choosing a platform.

    It is not absurd.

    I have a niece who's husband's relative works for Samsung. For years she
    was using Samsung phones that she could buy at a huge discount. Suddenly
    she switched to iPhone. She said that the reason was that all the
    parents their kids' sports teams used iMessage to communicate things
    like schedules, who was responsible for bringing drinks and snacks,
    carpool arrangements, etc.. She was in no position to try to convert everyone else to use WhatsApp, Signal, Slack, or whatever. So she capitulated for a very non-absurd reason.

    These days she could use something like AirMessage but that is a system
    that she would not know how to set up. They are not poor and have no
    problem spending more money on iPhones.

    Well - AirMessage is not trivial to install. You need a running mac (at
    least in a VM) and a gateway program:

    <https://airmessage.org/install/>

    Also the app for Android was last updated end of 2022:

    <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.tagavari.airmessage>

    No update in more than a year? Is this thing still supported at all?
    Looks more like a proof of concept to me.
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Sun Feb 25 15:56:32 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-25 14:30, Arno Welzel wrote:
    sms, 2024-02-19 04:44:

    [...]
    Obviously Apple decided that the downside of making iMessage a core
    platform outweighed the upside. At least in the U.S., iMessage is one of
    the major reasons that consumers choose iPhones over Android devices.

    In the U.S. iPhones have a bigger market share in general. And since
    iMessage is only available on iOS there is of course no other way then getting an iPhone if you want to keep in touch with others using that platform. But that's not because iMessage is so great - there is just no other choice.

    What do you mean "there is just no other choice"?
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Sun Feb 25 16:05:05 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-25 14:31, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Andrew, 2024-02-19 06:28:

    [...]
    These are computers.
    Picking platforms by default app is as ridiculous as is anyone who does it.

    Well - if you have many friends or collegues who use iMessage then there
    is no choice to use Android. iMessage is not available for Android, only

    False. Messages on iPhone/iOS will communicate with people using
    Android via the telco. Indeed, from my Mac I can communicate with
    people using Android text messages as my Mac will use my iPhone to
    execute the SMS/MMS communication.

    on iOS. Good luck trying to convince dozens of other people to install
    your favourite messenger instead to keep in touch with you.

    Another way to see it is that with an iPhone you have both the country
    club experience of iOS (aka: the Apple Eco-System) as well as the public
    parks of the various messaging systems that are also available on Android.

    People don't get iPhones to have the Messages app. They get them for
    the overall experience which is further enhanced the more Apple products
    you have. (the Eco-System).
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Sun Feb 25 16:08:00 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-25 14:37, Arno Welzel wrote:
    sms, 2024-02-20 00:07:

    On 2/19/2024 9:14 AM, Andrew wrote:

    <snip>

    I read and understood what sms said which if it's true, means the decision >>> to buy an iPhone is based on absurd criteria, since it's ridiculous to
    choose a platform by a single default app, such as a browser or messenger. >>>
    I'm not saying people don't do it.
    I'm saying it's an absurd reason for choosing a platform.

    It is not absurd.

    I have a niece who's husband's relative works for Samsung. For years she
    was using Samsung phones that she could buy at a huge discount. Suddenly
    she switched to iPhone. She said that the reason was that all the
    parents their kids' sports teams used iMessage to communicate things
    like schedules, who was responsible for bringing drinks and snacks,
    carpool arrangements, etc.. She was in no position to try to convert
    everyone else to use WhatsApp, Signal, Slack, or whatever. So she
    capitulated for a very non-absurd reason.

    These days she could use something like AirMessage but that is a system
    that she would not know how to set up. They are not poor and have no
    problem spending more money on iPhones.

    Well - AirMessage is not trivial to install. You need a running mac (at
    least in a VM) and a gateway program:

    <https://airmessage.org/install/>

    Also the app for Android was last updated end of 2022:

    <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.tagavari.airmessage>

    No update in more than a year? Is this thing still supported at all?
    Looks more like a proof of concept to me.

    It's a nothing burger. So unsuccessful that Apple have not even had to
    pay attention to killing it as they did with Beeper Mini.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Mon Feb 26 19:52:36 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Alan Browne, 2024-02-25 22:05:

    On 2024-02-25 14:31, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Andrew, 2024-02-19 06:28:

    [...]
    These are computers.
    Picking platforms by default app is as ridiculous as is anyone who does it. >>
    Well - if you have many friends or collegues who use iMessage then there
    is no choice to use Android. iMessage is not available for Android, only

    False. Messages on iPhone/iOS will communicate with people using
    Android via the telco. Indeed, from my Mac I can communicate with
    people using Android text messages as my Mac will use my iPhone to
    execute the SMS/MMS communication.

    Yes - but the it is just SMS/MMS then and not "iMessage". In particular
    you also can't join group conversions.

    Of course if using plain old SMS/MMS to exchange messages with single
    person is enough, than there is no reason to get a smartphone at all
    just for this. Plain old mobile phones provide SMS as well.

    [...]
    People don't get iPhones to have the Messages app. They get them for
    the overall experience which is further enhanced the more Apple products
    you have. (the Eco-System).

    I got an iPhone from my employer as my daily driver for professional use
    and I don't really like it. The whole UI experience is awkward for me
    compared to what I am used to on my Google Pixel. Yes, for people who
    are used to iOS, it may be fine. But not having the option for a custom launcher dealing with different of ways how to go "back" in an app (for
    example some provide an icon for that on top, Safari has the buttons on
    the bottom, some don't have "back" at all etc.) makes it not easier for me.
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From sms@scharf.steven@geemail.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Mon Feb 26 10:53:50 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2/25/2024 11:37 AM, Arno Welzel wrote:

    <snip>

    Well - AirMessage is not trivial to install. You need a running mac (at
    least in a VM) and a gateway program:

    Actually it was quite easy to install, and I am not a Mac person by any
    means. But yes, it did require that I acquire a Mac of some sort. I
    could have done a Hackintosh but instead I bought a used Mac Mini for
    $100. It's in my wiring closet. It's set to power-on automatically in
    case of a power interruption. No mouse, keyboard, or monitor are
    necessary once it's set up.

    <https://airmessage.org/install/>

    Also the app for Android was last updated end of 2022:

    <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.tagavari.airmessage>

    No update in more than a year? Is this thing still supported at all?
    Looks more like a proof of concept to me.

    It works fine. No updates have been needed. Not every app needs constant updating to work.

    I have a few contacts who insist on using iMessage and this was the
    easiest way to accommodate them.
    --
    “If you are not an expert on a subject, then your opinions about it
    really do matter less than the opinions of experts. It's not
    indoctrination nor elitism. It's just that you don't know as much as
    they do about the subject.”—Tin Foil Awards

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Mon Feb 26 19:54:27 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Alan Browne, 2024-02-25 21:56:

    On 2024-02-25 14:30, Arno Welzel wrote:
    sms, 2024-02-19 04:44:

    [...]
    Obviously Apple decided that the downside of making iMessage a core
    platform outweighed the upside. At least in the U.S., iMessage is one of >>> the major reasons that consumers choose iPhones over Android devices.

    In the U.S. iPhones have a bigger market share in general. And since
    iMessage is only available on iOS there is of course no other way then
    getting an iPhone if you want to keep in touch with others using that
    platform. But that's not because iMessage is so great - there is just no
    other choice.

    What do you mean "there is just no other choice"?

    How to join group conversions or use any of the other specific features
    of iMessage without using iMessage?
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Carlos E.R.@robin_listas@es.invalid to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Mon Feb 26 22:49:24 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-26 21:38, Chris wrote:
    Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-25 22:05:

    On 2024-02-25 14:31, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Andrew, 2024-02-19 06:28:

    [...]
    These are computers.
    Picking platforms by default app is as ridiculous as is anyone who does it.

    Well - if you have many friends or collegues who use iMessage then there >>>> is no choice to use Android. iMessage is not available for Android, only >>>
    False. Messages on iPhone/iOS will communicate with people using
    Android via the telco. Indeed, from my Mac I can communicate with
    people using Android text messages as my Mac will use my iPhone to
    execute the SMS/MMS communication.

    Yes - but the it is just SMS/MMS then and not "iMessage". In particular
    you also can't join group conversions.

    Of course if using plain old SMS/MMS to exchange messages with single
    person is enough, than there is no reason to get a smartphone at all
    just for this. Plain old mobile phones provide SMS as well.

    [...]
    People don't get iPhones to have the Messages app. They get them for
    the overall experience which is further enhanced the more Apple products >>> you have. (the Eco-System).

    I got an iPhone from my employer as my daily driver for professional use
    and I don't really like it. The whole UI experience is awkward for me
    compared to what I am used to on my Google Pixel. Yes, for people who
    are used to iOS, it may be fine. But not having the option for a custom
    launcher dealing with different of ways how to go "back" in an app (for
    example some provide an icon for that on top, Safari has the buttons on
    the bottom, some don't have "back" at all etc.) makes it not easier for me.

    All apps accept a swipe from left to right as "back".

    That would be very confusing for me, because my phone accepts a swipe
    from right edge to left as "back".
    --
    Cheers, Carlos.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Mon Feb 26 19:01:42 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-26 13:52, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-25 22:05:

    On 2024-02-25 14:31, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Andrew, 2024-02-19 06:28:

    [...]
    These are computers.
    Picking platforms by default app is as ridiculous as is anyone who does it.

    Well - if you have many friends or collegues who use iMessage then there >>> is no choice to use Android. iMessage is not available for Android, only

    False. Messages on iPhone/iOS will communicate with people using
    Android via the telco. Indeed, from my Mac I can communicate with
    people using Android text messages as my Mac will use my iPhone to
    execute the SMS/MMS communication.

    Yes - but the it is just SMS/MMS then and not "iMessage". In particular
    you also can't join group conversions.

    SMS-ers can be part of a group chat, w/o Messages features. It's a
    little inelegant. The SMS-er needs to be on the first chat (IIRC).

    Of course if using plain old SMS/MMS to exchange messages with single
    person is enough, than there is no reason to get a smartphone at all
    just for this. Plain old mobile phones provide SMS as well.

    [...]
    People don't get iPhones to have the Messages app. They get them for
    the overall experience which is further enhanced the more Apple products
    you have. (the Eco-System).

    I got an iPhone from my employer as my daily driver for professional use
    and I don't really like it. The whole UI experience is awkward for me compared to what I am used to on my Google Pixel. Yes, for people who
    are used to iOS, it may be fine. But not having the option for a custom launcher dealing with different of ways how to go "back" in an app (for example some provide an icon for that on top, Safari has the buttons on
    the bottom, some don't have "back" at all etc.) makes it not easier for me.

    I'll grant that Android's general "back" seems well thought out v. iOS.

    As I use a Mac (most of the day at work or home) the integration with my iPhone is not "great" - it's a necessity for smooth sailing.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Mon Feb 26 19:02:56 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-26 13:54, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-25 21:56:

    On 2024-02-25 14:30, Arno Welzel wrote:
    sms, 2024-02-19 04:44:

    [...]
    Obviously Apple decided that the downside of making iMessage a core
    platform outweighed the upside. At least in the U.S., iMessage is one of >>>> the major reasons that consumers choose iPhones over Android devices.

    In the U.S. iPhones have a bigger market share in general. And since
    iMessage is only available on iOS there is of course no other way then
    getting an iPhone if you want to keep in touch with others using that
    platform. But that's not because iMessage is so great - there is just no >>> other choice.

    What do you mean "there is just no other choice"?

    How to join group conversions or use any of the other specific features
    of iMessage without using iMessage?

    Hard to "join", but if the SMS-er(s) is(are) on the first list of a
    group, then no big issue. Not elegant, mind you.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Carlos E.R.@robin_listas@es.invalid to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Feb 27 13:38:07 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-02-27 11:56, Chris wrote:
    Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
    On 2024-02-26 21:38, Chris wrote:
    Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-25 22:05:

    On 2024-02-25 14:31, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Andrew, 2024-02-19 06:28:

    [...]
    These are computers.
    Picking platforms by default app is as ridiculous as is anyone who does it.

    Well - if you have many friends or collegues who use iMessage then there >>>>>> is no choice to use Android. iMessage is not available for Android, only >>>>>
    False. Messages on iPhone/iOS will communicate with people using
    Android via the telco. Indeed, from my Mac I can communicate with
    people using Android text messages as my Mac will use my iPhone to
    execute the SMS/MMS communication.

    Yes - but the it is just SMS/MMS then and not "iMessage". In particular >>>> you also can't join group conversions.

    Of course if using plain old SMS/MMS to exchange messages with single
    person is enough, than there is no reason to get a smartphone at all
    just for this. Plain old mobile phones provide SMS as well.

    [...]
    People don't get iPhones to have the Messages app. They get them for >>>>> the overall experience which is further enhanced the more Apple products >>>>> you have. (the Eco-System).

    I got an iPhone from my employer as my daily driver for professional use >>>> and I don't really like it. The whole UI experience is awkward for me
    compared to what I am used to on my Google Pixel. Yes, for people who
    are used to iOS, it may be fine. But not having the option for a custom >>>> launcher dealing with different of ways how to go "back" in an app (for >>>> example some provide an icon for that on top, Safari has the buttons on >>>> the bottom, some don't have "back" at all etc.) makes it not easier for me.

    All apps accept a swipe from left to right as "back".

    That would be very confusing for me, because my phone accepts a swipe
    from right edge to left as "back".

    Visually, that seems odd to me. But I guess it comes down to what you're
    used to.


    The previous model used a right to left swipe on the home sensor, that
    was also the fingerprint sensor (bottom centre of the frontal side), so
    when they changed to a gesture on the display, they used the same direction.

    Yes, once you get used, anything different is very weird.

    Swipe from left edge to centre, also goes back, now that I tried. I did
    not remember this.
    --
    Cheers, Carlos.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Fri Mar 1 13:17:05 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Chris, 2024-02-26 21:38:

    Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> wrote:
    [...]
    I got an iPhone from my employer as my daily driver for professional use
    and I don't really like it. The whole UI experience is awkward for me
    compared to what I am used to on my Google Pixel. Yes, for people who
    are used to iOS, it may be fine. But not having the option for a custom
    launcher dealing with different of ways how to go "back" in an app (for
    example some provide an icon for that on top, Safari has the buttons on
    the bottom, some don't have "back" at all etc.) makes it not easier for me.

    All apps accept a swipe from left to right as "back".

    It depends where you are and what app you use.

    Apple calculator:

    Swiping only touches the keys, but you can't go "back" to the homescreen.

    MS Outlook:

    In general when swiping from the left corner to the right, the app menu
    opens.

    In the e-mail list: swipes from left to right os "delete message" and
    right to left is "archive message".

    In the calendar: swiping changes the current day which is displayed.

    When the internal "apps" popup is open in Outlook, horizontal swiping is completely ignored. You can only close the popup again by dragging it down.

    In Android, however, going "back" in app also brings you back to the homescreen. So it is quite confusing, that on an iPhone you must use the
    "home" button or a special "home" gesture for this. Yes, Android also
    has a "home" gesture nowadays, but there is never the point that you get
    stuck in an app because "back" will only lead to the first screen in the
    app itself but not further.

    In addition in Android apps can call other apps to handle certain
    actions (known as "intentions") and for this to work as expected, it is
    crucial that "back" also brings you back from one app to another app.
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Fri Mar 1 13:17:46 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Chris, 2024-02-27 11:56:

    Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
    [...]
    That would be very confusing for me, because my phone accepts a swipe
    from right edge to left as "back".

    Visually, that seems odd to me. But I guess it comes down to what you're
    used to.

    Current Android versions support both.
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Fri Mar 1 13:19:28 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Alan Browne, 2024-02-27 01:02:

    On 2024-02-26 13:54, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-25 21:56:

    On 2024-02-25 14:30, Arno Welzel wrote:
    sms, 2024-02-19 04:44:

    [...]
    Obviously Apple decided that the downside of making iMessage a core
    platform outweighed the upside. At least in the U.S., iMessage is one of >>>>> the major reasons that consumers choose iPhones over Android devices. >>>>
    In the U.S. iPhones have a bigger market share in general. And since
    iMessage is only available on iOS there is of course no other way then >>>> getting an iPhone if you want to keep in touch with others using that
    platform. But that's not because iMessage is so great - there is just no >>>> other choice.

    What do you mean "there is just no other choice"?

    How to join group conversions or use any of the other specific features
    of iMessage without using iMessage?

    Hard to "join", but if the SMS-er(s) is(are) on the first list of a
    group, then no big issue. Not elegant, mind you.

    Not "hard" - impossible. With SMS you can only send a message to a phone number, not to a messenger group.
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Sat Mar 2 09:00:11 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-03-01 07:19, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-27 01:02:

    On 2024-02-26 13:54, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-25 21:56:

    On 2024-02-25 14:30, Arno Welzel wrote:
    sms, 2024-02-19 04:44:

    [...]
    Obviously Apple decided that the downside of making iMessage a core >>>>>> platform outweighed the upside. At least in the U.S., iMessage is one of >>>>>> the major reasons that consumers choose iPhones over Android devices. >>>>>
    In the U.S. iPhones have a bigger market share in general. And since >>>>> iMessage is only available on iOS there is of course no other way then >>>>> getting an iPhone if you want to keep in touch with others using that >>>>> platform. But that's not because iMessage is so great - there is just no >>>>> other choice.

    What do you mean "there is just no other choice"?

    How to join group conversions or use any of the other specific features
    of iMessage without using iMessage?

    Hard to "join", but if the SMS-er(s) is(are) on the first list of a
    group, then no big issue. Not elegant, mind you.

    Not "hard" - impossible. With SMS you can only send a message to a phone number, not to a messenger group.

    Look at it the other way around. If a group copies an SMS user with a message, his replies will go back to the group. This assumes the group
    were all enlisted by phone number, however.

    It's messy.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Sat Mar 2 22:33:35 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Alan Browne, 2024-03-02 15:00:

    On 2024-03-01 07:19, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-27 01:02:
    [...]
    How to join group conversions or use any of the other specific features >>>> of iMessage without using iMessage?

    Hard to "join", but if the SMS-er(s) is(are) on the first list of a
    group, then no big issue. Not elegant, mind you.

    Not "hard" - impossible. With SMS you can only send a message to a phone
    number, not to a messenger group.

    Look at it the other way around. If a group copies an SMS user with a message, his replies will go back to the group. This assumes the group
    were all enlisted by phone number, however.

    If a user sends an SMS message, he can only send it to a phone number.
    There is no phone number which will address the whole group. So what did
    I miss here?
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Mon Mar 4 09:31:59 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-03-02 16:33, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-03-02 15:00:

    On 2024-03-01 07:19, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-27 01:02:
    [...]
    How to join group conversions or use any of the other specific features >>>>> of iMessage without using iMessage?

    Hard to "join", but if the SMS-er(s) is(are) on the first list of a
    group, then no big issue. Not elegant, mind you.

    Not "hard" - impossible. With SMS you can only send a message to a phone >>> number, not to a messenger group.

    Look at it the other way around. If a group copies an SMS user with a
    message, his replies will go back to the group. This assumes the group
    were all enlisted by phone number, however.

    If a user sends an SMS message, he can only send it to a phone number.
    There is no phone number which will address the whole group. So what did
    I miss here?

    I'd have to revisit it, but I do recall chats where a reply from SMS
    users appeared on two or more iPhones.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Mar 5 20:18:51 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Alan Browne, 2024-03-04 15:31:

    On 2024-03-02 16:33, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-03-02 15:00:

    On 2024-03-01 07:19, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-27 01:02:
    [...]
    How to join group conversions or use any of the other specific features >>>>>> of iMessage without using iMessage?

    Hard to "join", but if the SMS-er(s) is(are) on the first list of a
    group, then no big issue. Not elegant, mind you.

    Not "hard" - impossible. With SMS you can only send a message to a phone >>>> number, not to a messenger group.

    Look at it the other way around. If a group copies an SMS user with a
    message, his replies will go back to the group. This assumes the group
    were all enlisted by phone number, however.

    If a user sends an SMS message, he can only send it to a phone number.
    There is no phone number which will address the whole group. So what did
    I miss here?

    I'd have to revisit it, but I do recall chats where a reply from SMS
    users appeared on two or more iPhones.

    Again: SMS is only to a phone number. It is technically impossible to determine, if an incoming SMS message on *one* phone (the phone number,
    the SMS was addressed to) was intended for a iMessage group. It will
    only be displayed as what it is: an incoming SMS message from one user
    to another user.
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Alan Browne@bitbucket@blackhole.com to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Mar 5 14:22:57 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-03-05 14:18, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-03-04 15:31:

    On 2024-03-02 16:33, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-03-02 15:00:

    On 2024-03-01 07:19, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-27 01:02:
    [...]
    How to join group conversions or use any of the other specific features >>>>>>> of iMessage without using iMessage?

    Hard to "join", but if the SMS-er(s) is(are) on the first list of a >>>>>> group, then no big issue. Not elegant, mind you.

    Not "hard" - impossible. With SMS you can only send a message to a phone >>>>> number, not to a messenger group.

    Look at it the other way around. If a group copies an SMS user with a >>>> message, his replies will go back to the group. This assumes the group >>>> were all enlisted by phone number, however.

    If a user sends an SMS message, he can only send it to a phone number.
    There is no phone number which will address the whole group. So what did >>> I miss here?

    I'd have to revisit it, but I do recall chats where a reply from SMS
    users appeared on two or more iPhones.

    Again: SMS is only to a phone number.

    It's not like I don't understand that. I just recall being on text
    groups where the SMS user remained in the loop over multiple replies.
    Maybe I missed something.
    --
    “Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”
    - John Maynard Keynes.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Carlos E.R.@robin_listas@es.invalid to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Wed Mar 6 15:08:26 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-03-05 20:22, Alan Browne wrote:
    On 2024-03-05 14:18, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-03-04 15:31:

    On 2024-03-02 16:33, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-03-02 15:00:

    On 2024-03-01 07:19, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-27 01:02:
    [...]
    How to join group conversions or use any of the other specific >>>>>>>> features
    of iMessage without using iMessage?

    Hard to "join", but if the SMS-er(s) is(are) on the first list of a >>>>>>> group, then no big issue.  Not elegant, mind you.

    Not "hard" - impossible. With SMS you can only send a message to a >>>>>> phone
    number, not to a messenger group.

    Look at it the other way around.  If a group copies an SMS user with a >>>>> message, his replies will go back to the group.  This assumes the
    group
    were all enlisted by phone number, however.

    If a user sends an SMS message, he can only send it to a phone number. >>>> There is no phone number which will address the whole group. So what
    did
    I miss here?

    I'd have to revisit it, but I do recall chats where a reply from SMS
    users appeared on two or more iPhones.

    Again: SMS is only to a phone number.

    It's not like I don't understand that.  I just recall being on text
    groups where the SMS user remained in the loop over multiple replies.
    Maybe I missed something.

    The software has to internally keep track of all recipients, and send an
    SMS to all, ie, multiple SMS with some tracking information.

    Another method would be to send an SMS to a master phone in the list,
    which then forwards to the rest.

    I have seen group messaging with SMS, it can be done. The SMS first
    appeared in my phone as a message from one of the members, and seconds
    later appeared in the group.

    With RCS, it is supported.
    --
    Cheers, Carlos.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Wed Mar 6 20:03:26 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Carlos E.R., 2024-03-06 15:08:

    On 2024-03-05 20:22, Alan Browne wrote:
    On 2024-03-05 14:18, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-03-04 15:31:

    On 2024-03-02 16:33, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-03-02 15:00:

    On 2024-03-01 07:19, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Alan Browne, 2024-02-27 01:02:
    [...]
    How to join group conversions or use any of the other specific >>>>>>>>> features
    of iMessage without using iMessage?

    Hard to "join", but if the SMS-er(s) is(are) on the first list of a >>>>>>>> group, then no big issue.  Not elegant, mind you.

    Not "hard" - impossible. With SMS you can only send a message to a >>>>>>> phone
    number, not to a messenger group.

    Look at it the other way around.  If a group copies an SMS user with a >>>>>> message, his replies will go back to the group.  This assumes the >>>>>> group
    were all enlisted by phone number, however.

    If a user sends an SMS message, he can only send it to a phone number. >>>>> There is no phone number which will address the whole group. So what >>>>> did
    I miss here?

    I'd have to revisit it, but I do recall chats where a reply from SMS
    users appeared on two or more iPhones.

    Again: SMS is only to a phone number.

    It's not like I don't understand that.  I just recall being on text
    groups where the SMS user remained in the loop over multiple replies.
    Maybe I missed something.

    The software has to internally keep track of all recipients, and send an
    SMS to all, ie, multiple SMS with some tracking information.

    Which is impossible.

    A SMS message has only this:

    1) Recipient phone number
    2) Content
    3) Ask for delivery report yes/no

    You can not distinguish between a SMS message which is only addressed in private to the phone owner or if it is OK to forward it via iMessage to
    a group.

    Another method would be to send an SMS to a master phone in the list,
    which then forwards to the rest.

    See above: you can not really decide wether the SMS message is only for
    the owner of the phone who recieves it or if it should be forwarded to
    an iMessage group.

    The iMessage group would need to have it's own phone number - but I
    doubt, that Apple runs a service which creates new phone numbers for
    every iMessage group and accepts SMS messages to that phone numbers.

    I have seen group messaging with SMS, it can be done. The SMS first
    appeared in my phone as a message from one of the members, and seconds
    later appeared in the group.

    In this case you should ask the sender to send a message only to you and
    not to the group. I wonder how this should be possible, if the group has
    not it's own number.

    With RCS, it is supported.

    Yes, but RCS is not SMS.
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Thu Mar 7 12:48:40 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Jan K., 2024-03-07 05:44:

    W Wed, 6 Mar 2024 20:03:26 +0100, Arno Welzel napisal:

    With RCS, it is supported.

    Yes, but RCS is not SMS.

    RCS isn't supported in this app, but is the group SMS message supported?
    <https://home.pulsesms.app/overview/>

    There is no "group SMS" - it is just a SMS message to multiple numbers. Depending on the SMS app you can of course you can create "groups" which
    just contain multiple recipients for your message. But everybody will
    still just get a single message by you and can not see if the SMS
    message was sent to other people as well.
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Arno Welzel@usenet@arnowelzel.de to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Mar 12 19:00:35 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    Carlos E.R., 2024-03-07 13:23:

    On 2024-03-07 12:48, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Jan K., 2024-03-07 05:44:

    W Wed, 6 Mar 2024 20:03:26 +0100, Arno Welzel napisal:

    With RCS, it is supported.

    Yes, but RCS is not SMS.

    RCS isn't supported in this app, but is the group SMS message supported? >>> <https://home.pulsesms.app/overview/>

    There is no "group SMS" - it is just a SMS message to multiple numbers.
    Depending on the SMS app you can of course you can create "groups" which
    just contain multiple recipients for your message. But everybody will
    still just get a single message by you and can not see if the SMS
    message was sent to other people as well.

    The recipient of the SMS sent to the group can reply to the group.
    However it works, it does work.

    So - if an user get's an SMS(!) from an iMessage group - what number is
    then used as the "Sender" number?
    --
    Arno Welzel
    https://arnowelzel.de

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114
  • From Carlos E.R.@robin_listas@es.invalid to misc.phone.mobile.iphone,comp.sys.mac.system,comp.mobile.android on Tue Mar 12 22:15:13 2024
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system

    On 2024-03-12 19:00, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Carlos E.R., 2024-03-07 13:23:

    On 2024-03-07 12:48, Arno Welzel wrote:
    Jan K., 2024-03-07 05:44:

    W Wed, 6 Mar 2024 20:03:26 +0100, Arno Welzel napisal:

    With RCS, it is supported.

    Yes, but RCS is not SMS.

    RCS isn't supported in this app, but is the group SMS message supported? >>>> <https://home.pulsesms.app/overview/>

    There is no "group SMS" - it is just a SMS message to multiple numbers.
    Depending on the SMS app you can of course you can create "groups" which >>> just contain multiple recipients for your message. But everybody will
    still just get a single message by you and can not see if the SMS
    message was sent to other people as well.

    The recipient of the SMS sent to the group can reply to the group.
    However it works, it does work.

    So - if an user get's an SMS(!) from an iMessage group - what number is
    then used as the "Sender" number?

    The time I saw this, most of us were using Androids, I don't remember if anyone was using an iphone. But I was in Canada, so people just used
    SMS, not WhatsApp. Some of us had RCS activated, not all.

    When I got an SMS, it appeared first as an SMS coming from an
    individual, and moments later, it moved to the group. And for sending, I
    sent to the group, but it was in fact sent to every phone in the group. Another person commented this same behaviour on their phone.

    But it appeared as if sending/receiving from the group. I was probably
    using Google Messages App.
    --
    Cheers, Carlos.

    --- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114