There just needs to be a law that these pop ups have to contain a clear, recent, full color, high definition headshot of the CEO/President of the company that profits from this.
This is why everyone is trying to have their app installed, there's a lot of information that the phone provides, and now you no longer get warned what data is available.
Same as for any app: crash reports, to fix issues.
I was curious so I installed it (it's the Google calculator app), and it just links to the generic Google privacy policy. There is nothing specific to the Calculator.
If we collect data and we do vaguely here’s what we might do which might include this other stuff that we might or might not do depending on what data is being collected.
That's basically the language. It's so vague and general/generic and it applies to all products, that it's impossible to know what is being collected without sniffing the traffic (maybe?).
I believe it's about how often the app is used. Advertisers label people with "gullible" and stuff like this, so when you use a calculator regularly, that may be a hint that you are not.
::: spoiler The reason the Linux kernel on Android does not have root and it is so challenging to hack the devices for the first time is because of how the user space is made.
The entire premise of a device where the user is not required to understand graduate level computer science, networking, and operating systems, is based upon a simple principal. The mobile operating system is designed so that the app developer is essentially a user with the same privileges as the user. In practice, they are at the same access level but have far more knowledge about what that means and what they can do with it.
The reason the root binary packages like su or sudo are not present is so that the app developer can not intentionally (or accidentally) take over the device completely. When the hardware manufacturer is done setting up the device's OS, they log out with a script that removes all administrative access and any packages that can be used to import a new kernel binary like wgetgit or curl.
The app developer is using a sandbox that is something like your user space sandbox. Within that app sandbox they have access to all kinds of stuff needed to configure almost any service, network, hardware access, or library they need in order to make their stuff work. This is what is being abused for data mining stalkerware.
With Android, all applications are loaded into memory on boot. The excuse given is faster boot up of applications. In practice, this is a small fraction if a second difference with no bearing on your persistent mental level of comprehension. These apps are like users all traveling along with you in the background 24/7. Indeed, the integrated battery is a hacking exploit to maintain continuous operations of the stalkerware and promote users never fully power cycling their devices so that these apps remain uninterrupted.
It is not about the calculator. It is about the stalkerware, which is ultimately ownership over a part of your digital person with the intent to manipulate, aka digital slavery. Search engines are not deterministic. There are only two relevant web crawlers and all search engines use these either directly or indirectly. This is the primary choke point where you can be easily manipulated with information, especially when combined with YouTube's link to one of these crawlers. This is not banner ads, this is political opinions, foreign policy, and manipulation of information down to the individual scale. It is theft of autonomy. It is an attack on the third pillar of democracy - press/freedom of information. It always has been since the dawn of the free stalkerware internet.
The fix is simple. The kernel modules and documentation for all hardware sold commercially must be open source. Anything less is ultimately theft of ownership, neo feudalism, and will lead to the end of democracy.
THAT is the true weight of this tiny little message and annoyance. It is a much bigger issue than it first appears to be.
:::
Using our implementation of Microsoft recall, we can see that you're calculating the price for your online purchase of Samsung AiPro Washing machine. We can see you can't afford it, but don't worry! We've applied a 10% coupon to your purchase so it'd be a bit cheaper for you!
Still not good enough? Try our Ai powered financing application!
Seems like everyone is going out of their way to tell us how much they "value" our privacy. The value they place on it wouldnt even get a burp from an atm machine
It went really well! Stoked this is an option. After muddling through initial config I've found it very easy to use. Still a lot to learn this is all super new to me.
In fairness, I've had to write a privacy policy due to store restrictions. It boiled down to "everything stays on your phone. I don't collect your data, I don't want your data, I don't even have a backend server that could be collecting your data. If you find my app sending telemetry of any kind, please tell me immediately because that should not be happening"
That being said, this doesn't exactly inspire confidence
A car is parked at the far end of the street. Hidden by the shadow of an old elm, and a reflection of the blue sky on the windshield, an agent patiently writes out his notes:
8:15 am A leaves house on foot
8:17 am B arrives driving and parks car (license plate: GYX 455), walks away
8:40 am B arrives, enters house
9:20 am A arrives on foot, leaves in car
This is called a stakeout. A form of surveillance.
IT folks will also recognize this as analytics data. You can almost see the json: timestamp, event name, metadata
As analytics data gets tagged to individuals, it becomes targeted surveillance.
Regular analytics is like a surveillance camera: you just see each person in a snapshot, all in the same place. You’re seeing the story of the place. Like a 7-Eleven, tracking when its customers come to decide when to make the coffee.
But modern analytics is more and more all the events about a person or cluster of people. That’s a lot more like the FBI following Hemingway, keeping a log of all his activities to build a profile.
I've published a simillar app to the play store (a calculator for keeping track of your stats in a game) and it got denied because it had no privacy policy, and I had to add one. Maybe that's why they need to include it?
I would believe that but I'm pretty sure this is the default Google calculator. It looks like the same one that's on my Pixel. And when I click on the privacy policy thing it takes me to Google's privacy policy so who knows what the calculator is doing.
Then perhaps it's because Google should follow their own rules? I mean, I still think it's dumb to have a privacy policy on a calculator, but if that's what they ask from other devs maybe they do this to look good?
Otherwise, getting tracked by a calculator is really a low 😅
Yeah I really hope this is just them following the rules and instead of putting in the work hours for their lawyers to make a privacy policy for their calculator they just have a standard one they use and not them using the calculator to gather data. But it is Google so I wouldn't be surprised.
My Xiaomi Redmi 11 keeps telling me the Calculator can't use the network (why?) and keeps asking me to accept the privacy policy.
Also the app wallpaper - the one that changes the locked screen background image (important complex stuff /s) - also keeps asking me to accept the privacy policy.
And, as far as my reading of the policy goes, these privacy policies are just the one, it's not a different one for each app.
They are just promising not to share with the government or any private entity that you are the idiot who had to use a calculator to find half of 17, just in case you were worried about someone finding out.
It's some fresh hellish bug that Android has introduced, it'll adapt the theme based on your wallpaper. It's a bug because it always chooses that 70's brown color. And yes, before you ask, you're not able to disable it. You have to reset your theme everytime you change your wallpaper.
My backgrounds have been me and my son, dressed in blue, against a green garden background. There's barely a pixel of brown to be found, but I always get that poo coloured nightmare.
I have always been able to see why it chooses the colors it does. For example I'm using an aerial view of earth and it gave me blues and greens. Also it does give you a choice of multiple sets of colors so it's weird to me that your experience is that you get nothing but the same brown every time.
You can actually change this in your settings. You will absolutely be able to find something of your taste. Usually your phone generates a few combinations for you to choose from based on your wallpaper. I do agree that this particular combination in this screenshot is ugly however.
Congratulations? If you use anything beyond stock apps it means you downloaded it, and accepted the privacy policy for it. Even with automatic updates, you logged in and accepted the policy as well. You don't want it? Erase the app. Freeze it, don't use it, whatever.
What's worse is that you don't even show the permission menu, you just show a notification.
Do what you want, but take at least responsibility for what you accept
That the stock app from my phone. Since a year the manufacturer started to update stock apps and they started to ask more and more permissions.
It reached levels so bad that I am looking at the fairphones but I don't have the money yet. Maybe in a few months or a year.
You are very agressive, I hope you fine and if you go thru hard time, keep the head up it will be better later.
Yeah see it's super solid logic -- if someone explains something then they LOVE it. They fully embrace the way that it is and WANT IT TO BE THAT WAY FOREVER. Explanations really can only be traced back to evil intent.
It is not free. It takes a ton of time to build and maintain this software. And people including myself do donate to help out.
If you're thinking all software developers will switch philosophies suddenly to think like you, I don't really know what to tell you other than that will absolutely never happen.
Ps. Did you really think there was a chance you needed to remind me Lemmy is not commercial software?
Pps. I typically use boost to view Lemmy and that is commercial software. Showing there is no need to expect everyone to develop all software for free. $3 was a fuckin bargain
It is not free. It takes a ton of time to build and maintain this software.
labor value != commodity value
If you’re thinking all software developers will switch philosophies suddenly to think like you, I don’t really know what to tell you other than that will absolutely never happen.
Nobody is suggesting otherwise, it is simply incorrect to say the consumer always pays for an application. There are many apps and software that is free to use and modify, and you do not always pay with your time or your privacy.
Ps. Did you really think there was a chance you needed to remind me Lemmy is not commercial software?
It was a convenient counterexample to the point being made.
Pps. I typically use boost to view Lemmy and that is commercial software. Showing there is no need to expect everyone to develop all software for free. $3 was a fuckin bargain
You recently calculated 34*5+1. Do you want to buy a new washing machine?
I don’t know why but this part kills me
It's because of the log function
Very punny.
It's was all clearly calculated.
Yes, and it's brown because of the tan function.
Something about this just doesn't add up.
If only there was a way to get to the root of the problem.
It will require our undivided attention.
To get even.
Those puns leave a negative impression
These puns sure did a number on me
I would like to clear them from my memory.
I don't know how to access that function.
"Continue to use of all the numbers you love!*
Starting August 1st, numbers 9, 7 3, 2 and 0 will only be available to members subscribed to our premium Calc+ tier.
Spotify intensifies
Yes, this is real: https://web.archive.org/web/20211006101621/https://www.reddit.com/r/assholedesign/comments/pa35xe/you_have_to_pay_to_unlock_the_button_on_this/
There just needs to be a law that these pop ups have to contain a clear, recent, full color, high definition headshot of the CEO/President of the company that profits from this.
Please don't log my calculator inputs it's more embarrassing than my browser history is.
Why? Does it have 80085?
Worse, lots of really basic math
Get a load of this nerd! He calculated 7 x 4
32, big deal
Source?
55378008
4195835 ÷ 3145727
7+6=
You're joking, but sometimes I put even simpler stuff into a calculator and then realize what the fuck I just did.
E.g.: 4 * 100.
13 ± X
log()
I can’t even imagine what data there is to collect for an application this simple.
That privacy policy better be really short.
On the bright side, a simple calculator ought to have plenty of free and open source alternatives that don’t harvest any data.
Your calculator would like access to your contacts.
Your calculator would like permission to send and receive phone calls.
Your calculator would like permission to view and delete emails.
Please click AGREE to proceed.
How else are we supposed to be able to share calculations to your social network????
There is also information that is provided that the phone no longer asks/announces.
Well, everything else that's not calculations.
This is why everyone is trying to have their app installed, there's a lot of information that the phone provides, and now you no longer get warned what data is available.
Same as for any app: crash reports, to fix issues.
I was curious so I installed it (it's the Google calculator app), and it just links to the generic Google privacy policy. There is nothing specific to the Calculator.
Clicking through to the policy from within the app just sends you to the general policy across Google. Very long.
If we collect data and we do vaguely here’s what we might do which might include this other stuff that we might or might not do depending on what data is being collected.
That's basically the language. It's so vague and general/generic and it applies to all products, that it's impossible to know what is being collected without sniffing the traffic (maybe?).
Why even have a privacy policy if it doesn’t specify what exactly is being covered and what’s being done with the data?
It's so, so stupid.
Whatever they can get their grubby hands on
Every orher day I enter sets from my workout so my dumbass can remember when I have done 200 squats. My knees hurt.
I believe it's about how often the app is used. Advertisers label people with "gullible" and stuff like this, so when you use a calculator regularly, that may be a hint that you are not.
Or maybe that you are, if your dumb ass is entering basic-ass calculations. 😅
True. In the end, they are gonna use some statistical methods to find what is more true. Using also all the other data they have about you.
::: spoiler The reason the Linux kernel on Android does not have root and it is so challenging to hack the devices for the first time is because of how the user space is made.
The entire premise of a device where the user is not required to understand graduate level computer science, networking, and operating systems, is based upon a simple principal. The mobile operating system is designed so that the app developer is essentially a user with the same privileges as the user. In practice, they are at the same access level but have far more knowledge about what that means and what they can do with it.
The reason the root binary packages like su or sudo are not present is so that the app developer can not intentionally (or accidentally) take over the device completely. When the hardware manufacturer is done setting up the device's OS, they log out with a script that removes all administrative access and any packages that can be used to import a new kernel binary like wget git or curl.
The app developer is using a sandbox that is something like your user space sandbox. Within that app sandbox they have access to all kinds of stuff needed to configure almost any service, network, hardware access, or library they need in order to make their stuff work. This is what is being abused for data mining stalkerware.
With Android, all applications are loaded into memory on boot. The excuse given is faster boot up of applications. In practice, this is a small fraction if a second difference with no bearing on your persistent mental level of comprehension. These apps are like users all traveling along with you in the background 24/7. Indeed, the integrated battery is a hacking exploit to maintain continuous operations of the stalkerware and promote users never fully power cycling their devices so that these apps remain uninterrupted.
It is not about the calculator. It is about the stalkerware, which is ultimately ownership over a part of your digital person with the intent to manipulate, aka digital slavery. Search engines are not deterministic. There are only two relevant web crawlers and all search engines use these either directly or indirectly. This is the primary choke point where you can be easily manipulated with information, especially when combined with YouTube's link to one of these crawlers. This is not banner ads, this is political opinions, foreign policy, and manipulation of information down to the individual scale. It is theft of autonomy. It is an attack on the third pillar of democracy - press/freedom of information. It always has been since the dawn of the free stalkerware internet.
The fix is simple. The kernel modules and documentation for all hardware sold commercially must be open source. Anything less is ultimately theft of ownership, neo feudalism, and will lead to the end of democracy.
THAT is the true weight of this tiny little message and annoyance. It is a much bigger issue than it first appears to be. :::
Using our implementation of Microsoft recall, we can see that you're calculating the price for your online purchase of Samsung AiPro Washing machine. We can see you can't afford it, but don't worry! We've applied a 10% coupon to your purchase so it'd be a bit cheaper for you!
Still not good enough? Try our Ai powered financing application!
"=" [locked] Infix subscription required
...
"base ten" [locked] subscription required, reverting to octal
My calc app also has its privacy policy there. It says
How dare they
They want to monetize any proofs you find.
Now get to work crunching numbers.
Seems like everyone is going out of their way to tell us how much they "value" our privacy. The value they place on it wouldnt even get a burp from an atm machine
The way I see it, the companies value our privacy in the sense that they want to take it - to extract that value.
Maybe so. I just prefer to keep mine close to home
Have you forgotten. '/s' ?
If done right, the sarcasm tag isn't needed.
GrapheneOS + network permission toggle
Or just use a FOSS app from F-Droid
Open calculator is pretty cool and very pretty. Material theme ofc
Nice.
Yep I already use that app, specifically chose it because of the Material 3 design
Thanks for mentioning and linking Graphene - I was stoked to see the Pixel support. Installing today.
Let me know how it goes! Also recently installed GOS, us newcomers gotta stick together.
It went really well! Stoked this is an option. After muddling through initial config I've found it very easy to use. Still a lot to learn this is all super new to me.
Happy to see someone jump on board the GrapheneOS train! Be warned though, the installation will wipe your device, so make sure to do backups.
Warning was noted thanks. Luckily I don't keep virtually any irreplaceable data on my mobile so installation was fairly painless!
It's possibly compliance. I know google requires you to have a privacy policy to even publish an app, no matter what.
True. But this Google's app so they don't need to do anything.
Huh. At least they dogfood, I'll give them that.
In fairness, I've had to write a privacy policy due to store restrictions. It boiled down to "everything stays on your phone. I don't collect your data, I don't want your data, I don't even have a backend server that could be collecting your data. If you find my app sending telemetry of any kind, please tell me immediately because that should not be happening"
That being said, this doesn't exactly inspire confidence
And nothing at all inspires more people confidence so that's why they need the policies. It's not possible to satisfy this
A car is parked at the far end of the street. Hidden by the shadow of an old elm, and a reflection of the blue sky on the windshield, an agent patiently writes out his notes:
This is called a stakeout. A form of surveillance.
IT folks will also recognize this as analytics data. You can almost see the json: timestamp, event name, metadata
As analytics data gets tagged to individuals, it becomes targeted surveillance.
Regular analytics is like a surveillance camera: you just see each person in a snapshot, all in the same place. You’re seeing the story of the place. Like a 7-Eleven, tracking when its customers come to decide when to make the coffee.
But modern analytics is more and more all the events about a person or cluster of people. That’s a lot more like the FBI following Hemingway, keeping a log of all his activities to build a profile.
(・_・;)
I've published a simillar app to the play store (a calculator for keeping track of your stats in a game) and it got denied because it had no privacy policy, and I had to add one. Maybe that's why they need to include it?
I would believe that but I'm pretty sure this is the default Google calculator. It looks like the same one that's on my Pixel. And when I click on the privacy policy thing it takes me to Google's privacy policy so who knows what the calculator is doing.
Then perhaps it's because Google should follow their own rules? I mean, I still think it's dumb to have a privacy policy on a calculator, but if that's what they ask from other devs maybe they do this to look good?
Otherwise, getting tracked by a calculator is really a low 😅
Yeah I really hope this is just them following the rules and instead of putting in the work hours for their lawyers to make a privacy policy for their calculator they just have a standard one they use and not them using the calculator to gather data. But it is Google so I wouldn't be surprised.
If you type in 867-5309, Jenny will call you back!
That's because she is very old and lives in a retirement home. She has nothing else to do but prank call people.
Why didn't every privacy concerned people switched to foss already?
Realistically because it takes time and effort to integrate foss and self hosted solutions a lot people don’t have the energy or know how to do.
You don't have to be purist, just aware. There's a lot of spectrum between using foss apps alternatives and self hosting next cloud.
Wtf
I know right, I've been using CalcYou and it's pretty good!
I've been on Calculator++ for ages now. The UI looks a bit different, but it seems like they do all the same things.
Tossing it out there as another option.
I love Calc++!
Link?
F droid link: https://f-droid.org/packages/org.solovyev.android.calculator/
Source code link (taken from F droid): https://git.bubu1.eu/Bubu/android-calculatorpp
Thanks
Gotta love that internet access is implicitly provided in Android now /s
Yes!
My Xiaomi Redmi 11 keeps telling me the Calculator can't use the network (why?) and keeps asking me to accept the privacy policy.
Also the app wallpaper - the one that changes the locked screen background image (important complex stuff /s) - also keeps asking me to accept the privacy policy.
And, as far as my reading of the policy goes, these privacy policies are just the one, it's not a different one for each app.
Default Xiaomi ROM is shit
They want your equations on the off chance you accidentally solve one of the Millenia Prize problems.
It could happen if you hit just the right sequence of buttons on a pocket calculator!!
The right sequence of buttons on any calculator is 5318008. That was determined shortly after the invention of the pocket calculator.
They are just promising not to share with the government or any private entity that you are the idiot who had to use a calculator to find half of 17, just in case you were worried about someone finding out.
Hot <> in <> want to calculate with you!
The calculator is collecting anonymous information about your calculations to calculate whether the operation operators are operating properly.
Operate on deez nutz.
You can replace your calculator, as well as your clock, contacts, record, translate, and more pretty easily. It's well designed, and it's FOSS!
https://you-apps.net/
You can also use this calculator app, as well as camera, recorder, gallery, dialer, text messages, and more. Also well designed and also FOSS
https://github.com/FossifyOrg
I thought it was the color scheme that was hell at first.
It's some fresh hellish bug that Android has introduced, it'll adapt the theme based on your wallpaper. It's a bug because it always chooses that 70's brown color. And yes, before you ask, you're not able to disable it. You have to reset your theme everytime you change your wallpaper.
My backgrounds have been me and my son, dressed in blue, against a green garden background. There's barely a pixel of brown to be found, but I always get that poo coloured nightmare.
I have always been able to see why it chooses the colors it does. For example I'm using an aerial view of earth and it gave me blues and greens. Also it does give you a choice of multiple sets of colors so it's weird to me that your experience is that you get nothing but the same brown every time.
I have the exact same color scheme, set up to match the color of the Triumph Street Triple that is my wallpaper.
material you colors are pretty ugly
Is this even material you it looks like it
Subjective
You can actually change this in your settings. You will absolutely be able to find something of your taste. Usually your phone generates a few combinations for you to choose from based on your wallpaper. I do agree that this particular combination in this screenshot is ugly however.
oh alr
Stronk?
It doesn't calculate anything, but sends it to an AI server and displays the number from the answer.
I pay 5,99 a year for glasswire and cut all apps internet access unless necessary, browsers and such.
I'd pay 5.99 for Glasswire
Then if they want me to pay every year for the same product I already bought they can shove their glass wire up their sphincter
It is a service to be fair, saves me setting up something similar myself.
I am generally against subscriptions also but it is so small that what I would pay in a one off is unlikely to ever be paid by me.
Looks fake as fuck, My calculator app doesn't need any permission
Mine does...
Congratulations? If you use anything beyond stock apps it means you downloaded it, and accepted the privacy policy for it. Even with automatic updates, you logged in and accepted the policy as well. You don't want it? Erase the app. Freeze it, don't use it, whatever.
What's worse is that you don't even show the permission menu, you just show a notification.
Do what you want, but take at least responsibility for what you accept
That the stock app from my phone. Since a year the manufacturer started to update stock apps and they started to ask more and more permissions. It reached levels so bad that I am looking at the fairphones but I don't have the money yet. Maybe in a few months or a year. You are very agressive, I hope you fine and if you go thru hard time, keep the head up it will be better later.
In normal Android, I don't think internet access counts as a permission, nor does basic data collection.
Indeed
Mine just shows this on the store
Still
The network access I guess it's for the currency conversion, but the rest is pretty standard stuff for haptic feedback and memory management.
Nothing strange there at least for me
Someone worked to make that app, either you pay for it with money or you pay for it with privacy, your choice.
Google foss
This is Google's calculator app, so it's just the default calculator app on many phones.
You're getting downvoted because many people's brains are so tiny they think if you explain something then you obviously love it
How tiny does a brain need to be to make this comment on a platform that is free and open source?
Yeah see it's super solid logic -- if someone explains something then they LOVE it. They fully embrace the way that it is and WANT IT TO BE THAT WAY FOREVER. Explanations really can only be traced back to evil intent.
"You either pay for an app with money or with privacy" is just factually incorrect
There are lots of apps that do not require you to pay for with either your privacy or your currency.
Example: you are using an open-sourced application right now that is both free and private.
It is not free. It takes a ton of time to build and maintain this software. And people including myself do donate to help out.
If you're thinking all software developers will switch philosophies suddenly to think like you, I don't really know what to tell you other than that will absolutely never happen.
Ps. Did you really think there was a chance you needed to remind me Lemmy is not commercial software?
Pps. I typically use boost to view Lemmy and that is commercial software. Showing there is no need to expect everyone to develop all software for free. $3 was a fuckin bargain
labor value != commodity value
Nobody is suggesting otherwise, it is simply incorrect to say the consumer always pays for an application. There are many apps and software that is free to use and modify, and you do not always pay with your time or your privacy.
It was a convenient counterexample to the point being made.
Yup, but Lemmy itself is free to use or adapt.
Well no, it wasn't. The original point is that is Google's business model. Not that this business model is inevitable in every case.