Bots Have Taken Over Nearly Half the Internet, but Almost a 3rd of Users Can't Tell Difference Options

[pandy]

I just learnt (SVT) that on services like TikTok and Instagram every keystroke you make is recorded. You don't even need to hit the submit button. Those two services were just examples. I guess there are a lot more.

[coothead]

. I just learnt (SVT) that on services like TikTok and Instagram every
. keystroke you make is recorded.

Luckily for me, I have absolutely no connections to Social Media.

If I did then I would Copy&Paste this...

F*ck You TikTok
F*ck You Instagram

...at regular intervals.

I would hazard a guess that all appliances that are labelled as
SMART will also behave in a similar manner.

Luckily for me, I have absolutely nothing with that abominable
label.

coothead

[Christian J]

It may help to use Tor browser on those sites (just like on search engines), perhaps with a filter blocking all third-party scripts. I also believe there are third-party sites that let you view at least Twitter and Instagram posts if need be.

[pandy]

Do sites like that even work of you block everything?

Luckily for me, I have absolutely no connections to Social Media.

You are here, aren't you? Per definition forums are also social media. But I get what you mean.

[Christian J]

Do sites like that even work of you block everything?

Usually not, but at least you can block some of it. Blocking also compensates for the slow connection speed of Tor, so I can even use Youtube with it.

Per definition forums are also social media.

To me social media is sites made primarily for socializing, as opposed to exchanging ideas or information. It's possible to socialize on traditional web forums too, but it's not their main purpose. It's also possible to exchange ideas or information on social media sites, but again it's not their main purpose (and my impression is that it works pretty bad).

[pandy]

According to Wikipedia forums are definitely included.

This is a problem with the surveys some of us engage in. They can ask something like "How many hours a week do you spend on social media?". So what's an honest answer for coothead and myself? None or too many?

I think the definition of social media is a little like that of the new buzzword "sustainable". It's floating. It can mean anything. Boy, I hate the sustainable word! Especially in Swedish since the word we use used to mean long lasting. Like if I ask a seller if this washing machine is "hållbar" I want to know how long it will probably last before it breaks down in pieces and I need to buy a new one, not if the workers that put it together are paid a fair salary. Good if they are, but that's not what I ask.

[Christian J]

According to Wikipedia forums are definitely included.

Then Wikipedia itself should be included, I'm sure its contributors feel very social on the discussion pages.

I think the definition of social media is a little like that of the new buzzword "sustainable". It's floating. It can mean anything.

In practice I guess it almost always means Facebook for older users, and TikTok or similar for the younger ones. People using traditional web forums are too few to make a statistical difference. So just answer "no" when they ask.

not if the workers that put it together are paid a fair salary.

Isn't that another buzzword ("Fair trade", "Rättvisemärkt" or some similar incantation)? I think Sustainable just means the Earth's ecosystems will last longer if you buy their poor quality washing machines (and another one every five years)...

[pandy]

I think the definition of social media is a little like that of the new buzzword "sustainable". It's floating. It can mean anything.

In practice I guess it almost always means Facebook for older users, and TikTok or similar for the younger ones. People using traditional web forums are too few to make a statistical difference. So just answer "no" when they ask.

Yes, for younger people that's probably true. Except they hardly know what FB is. But the term has been around a long time and I prefer the original definition.

Yeah, I usually answer no, depends on how the question is asked. Sometimes they are more specific and list FB, Insta and so on. Then there's often a box labeled "Other". Then I chose that one.

It's ridiculous with these studies. Most are pure crap, except the place with scientific studies I mentioned. Still, I can't resist to give honest answers most of the time. I know that if I at an early stage tell them I don't drink coffee or eat bread I will be screened out. Still I can't resist doing just that. I'm probably stupid.

not if the workers that put it together are paid a fair salary.

Isn't that another buzzword ("Fair trade", "Rättvisemärkt" or some similar incantation)? I think Sustainable just means the Earth's ecosystems will last longer if you buy their poor quality washing machines (and another one every five years)...

That's how I interpreted it at first, like "good for the environment". But they can squeeze anything in there. Fair salaries, equal rights for women, HBTQ... anything that could be thought of is right, fair, good, equal, decent.... It isn't only a poorly chosen word, it's too wide a concept altogether. I'm just waiting for them to market nuclear power as sustainable. They are already attempting to greenwash it so...