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[marble falls]

This message was self-deleted by its author (marble falls) on Sat Apr 18, 2020, 11:06 AM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[MineralMan]

1. While all that may be true, sharing your location data

isn't always a horrible idea. Google searches can use it to show you the nearest Pizza place or gas station. It also lets you get localized information more quickly for things like weather, etc. And, of course, mapping and directions absolutely require it.

I'm curious about why people are so worried about sharing their location info. Ad tracking? Oh, well. I'm going to see ads whatever I do, so they might as well be about what's nearby, frankly.

I'm not sure I care all that much if my location is shared by my phone. I'm really boring, so where I am is of little use to anyone.

If you're worried about it, though, you can implement all those suggestions, but you will lose some of the functionality we all depend on from our mobile devices. I can see, for example, while fugitives from bounty hunters don't want their location known, but I'm not one of those.

Want to know where I am? Just ask me. I don't mind if you know.

[RKP5637]

2. My locations stuff is damn boring. It's to the dr's, pharmacy and grocery stores.

If I were to do nefarious stuff, which I don't, my phone would stay home. Even my cat falls asleep, my trips are so damn boring!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

4. first, nobody asked you

Nobody asked you if you want to be tracked every minute of every day, whereever you go. You are just Consumer Unit #xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. You matter only insofar as you consume.

Second, it's not your friends and neighbors who are not asking where you are before tracking you. It's not even Big Brother, although Big Brother can either buy or request or simply take that data. You are tracked because the likes of Zuckerberg want to know how to manipulate you into being a better Consumer Unit #xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. "Better" is defined by the tracking entity, not the Consumer Unit.

Third, tracking is not conditioned on you having done something "nefarious". You are a Consumer Unit and are "boring" only when you are not consuming the right things and amounts. Your data set assists in discovering and correcting all poorly consuming Consumer Units. (Some Consumer Units failed to act correctly for Producer entities in the last election and may require adjustment via Marketing news delivery).

Fourth, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." In spite of this, data concerning Consumer Units is available on request or by purchase or by unpublicized seizure.

Fifth, the track record of those doing the tracking is not good when it comes to securing data.
'Oh, I see MineralMan is down at the store. It's a good time to clean out his house for him.'
'Get the PedoPinPoint App! Find a target in seconds! Follow in real-time to perfect attack point!'

This is not about Neighborhood Watch. Orwell's 1984 was too optimistic.

[MineralMan]

7. Nobody asked me, but I'm aware of the capabilities of my cell phone.

I'm also aware of the ways I can limit its use to follow me around. I just see no reason to bother, frankly. You might have a different point of view on that. My wife and I just got back from a lunch at an interesting restaurant for our anniversary. Since we had not been there before and were unfamiliar with the neighborhood it was in, we used Apple Car Play and the entertainment system in the car to get turn-by-turn directions to the place.

It worked great. Of course, now, everyone knows we went there. Or...well...someone probably knows we went there. Should I be concerned about that? Please tell me why I should be concerned.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

8. you said, "Just ask me". they didn't

As to why you should be concerned, I tried to answer that in the previous response.

You should be consulted before you are tracked.

[MineralMan]

9. I was consulted. Every time some app wants to use location services

I get asked again. It's rare for me to add apps to my phone. I have all the ones I need. Some do use location services, which is why they are on on my phone. Google Maps, for example. I don't always tether my phone to my car, but if I'm going somewhere that's unfamiliar, I do, and use Android Auto and Google Maps to get turn-by-turn directions. Normally, I've already checked the route on my desktop computer, but Google Maps will reroute me if I get lost or decide to take a different route.

I like Google's localization features when I search for things, too, so I just leave the location services on.

If an app asks me if it can use location services, I ask myself why it wants to do that, and answer accordingly. Same with websites and things like notifications. I am asked, and I choose.

I knew that my phone had GPS capabilities when I chose it. I like those features, and used them. I even checked my car's speedometer using those apps. It's off by 1 mph at 70 mph. It's good to know that.

[dalton99a]

5. I'd say many Americans do not share your insouciance about privacy.

[cwydro]

6. I know, right? Today I went to the park with my doggies.

Then to the grocery store.

This afternoon I’ll go back to the park with my doggies.

Same as yesterday, same as tomorrow, with occasional trips to the library, my farm, post office, etc.

Bores me just writing it lol.

[MineralMan]

10. Yes. And one more thing I have is a "Find My Phone" app on my

desktop PC. The other day, my wife used that to see where I was when i was late getting back from running errands. She never calls or texts when I'm out, because I'm likely to be driving and won't access the phone.

I was late because there were 6 cars ahead of me at the Touch Free car wash where I gassed up the car. So she went looking for my phone and saw that I was at the Holiday gas station we usually patronize. When I got home and came in the door, she said, "Thanks for putting gas in the car and getting it washed." She didn't have to call me or text me. Very useful feature.

I can find her the same way, from her desktop PC.

Location services.

[cwydro]

11. I love that!

I have that app good, but no one to keep track of.

Good to know however!

[dalton99a]

3. Kick

[hunter]

12. I have a flip phone. It makes me happy because it's like a Star Trek communicator.

It's good for calls and texts. It's not attached to any email accounts, I never see any advertising on it.

When I need more minutes I buy a refill card somewhere.

I have been trained to carry it with me when I go out because when my wife tries to call me and hears it ringing on my desk or in the kitchen or in one of my coat pockets there's hell to pay when I get home.

If my phone was my only connection to the digital world I might be in trouble. But I've got an unlimited DSL connection at home, a Chromebook on my kitchen table, and all sorts of computers in my mad scientist lair. I deliberately isolate myself from many aspects of the modern world, but it's voluntary.

Digital isolation: The vulnerable people left behind

"Digital isolation is when people find themselves in a position where they can't access the internet or digital media and devices as much as other people", explains Bibi Reisdorf, an assistant professor in communication studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

"In theory, everyone can access the internet, maybe at a library, community centre or at a friend's house, but there are different levels of access."

Digital isolation is "surprisingly prevalent", according to Dr Reisdorf, with western countries seeing a rise in "mobile dependence". That doesn't mean people who are addicted to their mobile phones, it's when your mobile is your only access to the internet.

--more--

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-50812576

[Hotler]

13. I still don't own a cell phone. I was thinking about getting one, now

after reading this and other stuff similar I may hold off buying longer. I really dislike phones, always have.