Hacker News Reader

Comment by neurobashing | Hacker News Reader

for some, simply not allowing me to opt-out without using other mechanisms (some sort of internal firewall etc) is enough. It's my computer, my network, and I get to say precisely how it is used; and that includes telemetry.

There are other threats and reasons, that others more versed in this can explain, but that is the one I can speak to.

View on HN

> simply not allowing me to opt-out ...

But let's note that this is not the case here. You can still opt out. If they are just resetting your old settings silently, however, then this is not a nice move and it will annoy exactly the people that care.

> they are just resetting your old settings silently

That kind of behavior bis frowned upon in this establishment

>It's my computer, my network, and I get to say precisely how it is used

That is only realistic on linux. Everything else us just something you've rented.

Besides, you can always go for independent vscode clone. I don't know how good it is as i haven't tried it myself. I just know it exists.

Linux may be the only kernel (and general class of operating systems) that is capable of robust transparency and control, but that doesn't mean that it isn't a common ideal among more general computer users. The argument I hear most frequently is that users are fairly oblivious to one or more of these points:

- That data is collected

- That you or your device can be identified from data

- That data does not have an expiration

- How the data is used (eg: multi-use, for troubleshooting, for marketing)

There are multiple ways to democratize knowledge, but most ideal is having companies just be upfront and teaching engineers why it's important to stress building notifications and/or levers for these kinds of capabilities.

A lot of the people who care this much also use Linux, so this is somewhat of a moot point.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com