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all.html malware-apple.html malware-appliances.html malware-cars....
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From: |
Diff Report |
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Subject: |
all.html malware-apple.html malware-appliances.html malware-cars.... |
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Date: |
Wed, 31 May 2023 00:05:30 -0400 |
Modified:
all.html
malware-apple.html
malware-appliances.html
malware-cars.html
malware-mobiles.html
proprietary-drm.html
proprietary-fraud.html
proprietary.html
proprietary-incompatibility.html
proprietary-insecurity.html
proprietary-interference.html
proprietary-manipulation.html
proprietary-obsolescence.html
proprietary-sabotage.html
proprietary-subscriptions.html
proprietary-surveillance.html
proprietary-tethers.html
proprietary-tyrants.html
diff -rNU2 all.html all.html
--- all.html 2023-05-30 04:10:09.031144568 +0000
+++ all.html 2023-05-31 04:05:27.744778421 +0000
@@ -51,4 +51,12 @@
<ul class="blurbs">
+<!--#set var='ADD' value='2023-05-29' --><!--#set var='PUB' value='2023-05-04'
--><li><small class='date-tag'>Added: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo
encoding='none' var='ADD' --><span class="gnun-split"></span> — Latest
reference: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo encoding='none' var='PUB'
--></small>
+ <p>Controlling Honeywell internet thermostats with the dedicated
+ app has proven unreliable, due to <a
+
href="https://piunikaweb.com/2022/03/15/honeywell-total-connect-comfort-app-website-not-working-issue/";>
+ recurrent connection issues with the server these thermostats are
+ tethered to</a>.</p>
+ </li>
+
<!--#set var='ADD' value='2023-05-18' --><!--#set var='PUB' value='2023-05-10'
--><li><small class='date-tag'>Added: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo
encoding='none' var='ADD' --><span class="gnun-split"></span> — Latest
reference: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo encoding='none' var='PUB'
--></small>
<p>HP delivers printers with a
@@ -215,5 +223,5 @@
track” options are available, but tracking doesn't stop if
the user activates them: Apple keeps on collecting data for itself,
- although it claims not to share it with third parties.</p>
+ although it claims not to send it to third parties.</p>
<p><a
@@ -279,5 +287,5 @@
can't turn them off.</li>
- <li>It can collect viewing information and share it with other
+ <li>It can collect viewing information and send it to other
companies to take surveys. Until 2011, user registration was
required, so the viewing habits of each customer were recorded. We
@@ -331,5 +339,5 @@
no way of verifying TikTok's claim that the keylogger-like code
only serves purely technical functions. Some of the accessed data
- could well be saved to the company's servers, and even shared with
+ could well be saved to the company's servers, and even sent to
third parties. This would open the door to extensive surveillance,
including by the Chinese government (to which TikTok has indirect
@@ -537,11 +545,4 @@
</li>
-<!--#set var='ADD' value='2022-04-06' --><!--#set var='PUB' value='2022-03-15'
--><li><small class='date-tag'>Added: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo
encoding='none' var='ADD' --><span class="gnun-split"></span> — Latest
reference: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo encoding='none' var='PUB'
--></small>
- <p>Honeywell/Resideo Internet thermostats
- became offline and people were unable to use them <a
-
href="https://piunikaweb.com/2022/03/15/honeywell-total-connect-comfort-app-website-not-working-issue/";>since
- they are tethered to company servers</a>.</p>
- </li>
-
<!--#set var='ADD' value='2022-04-06' --><!--#set var='PUB' value='2022-02-15'
--><li><small class='date-tag'>Added: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo
encoding='none' var='ADD' --><span class="gnun-split"></span> — Latest
reference: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo encoding='none' var='PUB'
--></small>
<p>Honorlock set a network of fake test answer
@@ -561,8 +562,8 @@
<!--#set var='ADD' value='2022-04-04' --><!--#set var='PUB' value='2022-02-19'
--><li><small class='date-tag'>Added: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo
encoding='none' var='ADD' --><span class="gnun-split"></span> — Latest
reference: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo encoding='none' var='PUB'
--></small>
- <p>Hewlett-Packard printer producing company <a
-
href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/feb/19/how-cheap-ink-cartridges-can-cost-you-dear";>is
- implementing DRM in its machines so they won't work</a> if someone
- uses ink from another supplier.</p>
+ <p>Hewlett-Packard is <a
+
href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/feb/19/how-cheap-ink-cartridges-can-cost-you-dear";>
+ implementing DRM in its printers</a> so they refuse to print with
+ ink cartridges from another supplier.</p>
</li>
@@ -572,5 +573,8 @@
Dymo is now embedding DRM in the paper rolls for its label
printers</a> to make those printers reject equivalent paper rolls made
- by other companies.</p>
+ by other companies. This is implemented by an RFID tag, which keeps
+ track of how many labels remain on the roll, and blocks further
+ printing when the roll is empty—an efficient way to prevent
+ reusing the same RFID with a third-party roll.</p>
</li>
@@ -752,15 +756,4 @@
</li>
-<!--#set var='ADD' value='2021-10-30' --><!--#set var='PUB' value='2021-10-16'
--><li><small class='date-tag'>Added: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo
encoding='none' var='ADD' --><span class="gnun-split"></span> — Latest
reference: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo encoding='none' var='PUB'
--></small>
- <p>Canon's all-in-one printer, scanner, and fax machine carries
- proprietary software that <a
-
href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/legal/canon-sued-for-disabling-scanner-when-printers-run-out-of-ink/";>
- arbitrarily restricts use of the device</a>. In particular, it
- stops the user from sending faxes, or scanning, if the machine is
- out of ink. Since there's no need for ink to scan or send faxes,
- Canon is being sued by its customers for this restrictive
- behavior.</p>
- </li>
-
<!--#set var='ADD' value='2021-10-12' --><!--#set var='PUB' value='2021-10-07'
--><li><small class='date-tag'>Added: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo
encoding='none' var='ADD' --><span class="gnun-split"></span> — Latest
reference: <span class="gnun-split"></span><!--#echo encoding='none' var='PUB'
--></small>
<p><a
@@ -1745,9 +1738,9 @@
shut down the service to control them through</a>.</p>
- <p>While it is laudable that Best Buy recognized it was mistreating
- the customers by doing so, this doesn't alter the facts that
- tethering the device to a particular server is a path to screwing the
- users, and that it is a consequence of having nonfree software in the
- device.</p>
+ <p>Best Buy acknowledged that it was mistreating its customers by
+ doing so, and offered reimbursement of the affected appliances. The
+ fact remains, however, that tethering a device to a server is a way
+ of restricting and harassing users. The nonfree software in the
+ device is what stops users from cutting the tether.</p>
</li>
@@ -3135,5 +3128,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/05/29 12:03:51 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 21:09:28 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 malware-apple.html malware-apple.html
--- malware-apple.html 2023-05-30 04:10:09.259144486 +0000
+++ malware-apple.html 2023-05-31 04:05:27.808778376 +0000
@@ -235,13 +235,4 @@
</li>
- <li id="M201802120">
- <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2018-02</small>'
- --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
- <p>Apple devices lock users in <a
-
href="https://gizmodo.com/homepod-is-the-ultimate-apple-product-in-a-bad-way-1822883347";>
- solely to Apple services</a> by being designed to be incompatible
- with all other options, ethical or unethical.</p>
- </li>
-
<li id="M201605044">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-05</small>'
@@ -913,5 +904,5 @@
track” options are available, but tracking doesn't stop if
the user activates them: Apple keeps on collecting data for itself,
- although it claims not to share it with third parties.</p>
+ although it claims not to send it to third parties.</p>
<p><a
@@ -1234,4 +1225,13 @@
<ul class="blurbs">
+ <li id="M201802120">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2018-02</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Apple devices lock users in <a
+
href="https://gizmodo.com/homepod-is-the-ultimate-apple-product-in-a-bad-way-1822883347";>
+ solely to Apple services</a> by being designed to be incompatible
+ with all other options, ethical or unethical.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201412010">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2014-12</small>'
@@ -1302,5 +1302,5 @@
Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
-<p>Copyright © 2015-2022 Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
+<p>Copyright © 2015-2023 Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
@@ -1312,5 +1312,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2022/12/13 15:29:30 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 21:09:28 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 malware-appliances.html malware-appliances.html
--- malware-appliances.html 2023-05-30 04:10:09.367144448 +0000
+++ malware-appliances.html 2023-05-31 04:05:27.828778362 +0000
@@ -12,4 +12,11 @@
- GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/side-menu.css"
media="screen,print" />
+<style type="text/css" media="screen,print"><!--
+.article .emph-box {
+ padding: 0 2em 1.5em;
+ border-radius: 1em;
+ margin: 2em 0;
+}
+--></style>
<!--#include virtual="/proprietary/po/malware-appliances.translist" -->
<!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" -->
@@ -57,5 +64,57 @@
</div>
-<div class="column-limit" id="malware-appliances"></div>
+<div class="emph-box">
+<h3 id="connected-appliances">Don't trust “connected”
+appliances</h3>
+
+<p>Most of the devices listed here are “connected”—they
+try to talk over the internet with someone (typically a company) other
+than the nominal owner. Such an appliance is inherently untrustworthy: no
+matter what company it is, you should never trust it <em>that far</em>.</p>
+
+<p>The appliances we are dealing with contain software, almost always
+nonfree software. It is reasonable to treat this software as <a
+href="/philosophy/free-hardware-designs.html#boundary">equivalent to a
+bunch of circuits</a>, provided it is <em>never</em> changed (not even
+if the change is called an “upgrade”).</p>
+
+<p>In a connected appliance, it is hard to ensure that software won't be
+changed. Typically a connected appliance will have a universal back
+door—a feature that allows the company to remotely replace the
+software in it, over the internet. Some appliances might be
+exceptions, but we can never verify that a given appliance is an
+exception. Thus, we can never be sure that software in it won't be
+changed.</p>
+
+<p>In practice, these “upgrades” can amount to sabotage.
+Let's assume, for instance, that your printer accepts third-party ink
+cartridges. You have no guarantee that, some day, the manufacturer
+will not install malicious code to reject them. With a connected device,
+you must expect this.</p>
+
+<p>The manufacturer may try to justify these “upgrades” in the
+name of “security.” You can respond by asking: “Whose
+security? Security for me, or for the manufacturer against me?” If
+the manufacturer writes the software, in practice it implements security
+for itself against the customers.</p>
+
+<p>Even without changing the code in the device, the company can use the
+“connection” to do nasty things to you—for instance,
+snoop on you, your family and your guests, or make it stop running at
+all.</p>
+
+<p>The reliable way to prevent abuse of this sort is to block the appliance
+from communicating by internet with anything other than <em>your own
+computer</em>. (You can make your own computer more secure by running
+exclusively free software in it.)</p>
+
+<p>In an ideal world, appliances would contain 100% free software, so our
+community could correct any problems the software might have. The
+free software would obey <em>us</em>, not companies. That software would
+not let anyone change it without entering passwords that the
+<em>owners</em> chose.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3 id="malware-appliances">Examples of malware in appliances</h3>
<ul class="blurbs">
@@ -83,4 +142,14 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M202305040">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2023-05</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Controlling Honeywell internet thermostats with the dedicated
+ app has proven unreliable, due to <a
+
href="https://piunikaweb.com/2022/03/15/honeywell-total-connect-comfort-app-website-not-working-issue/";>
+ recurrent connection issues with the server these thermostats are
+ tethered to</a>.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M202209000">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2022-09</small>'
@@ -107,5 +176,5 @@
can't turn them off.</li>
- <li>It can collect viewing information and share it with other
+ <li>It can collect viewing information and send it to other
companies to take surveys. Until 2011, user registration was
required, so the viewing habits of each customer were recorded. We
@@ -177,8 +246,8 @@
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2022-02</small>'
--><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
- <p>Hewlett-Packard printer producing company <a
-
href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/feb/19/how-cheap-ink-cartridges-can-cost-you-dear";>is
- implementing DRM in its machines so they won't work</a> if someone
- uses ink from another supplier.</p>
+ <p>Hewlett-Packard is <a
+
href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/feb/19/how-cheap-ink-cartridges-can-cost-you-dear";>
+ implementing DRM in its printers</a> so they refuse to print with
+ ink cartridges from another supplier.</p>
</li>
@@ -190,5 +259,8 @@
Dymo is now embedding DRM in the paper rolls for its label
printers</a> to make those printers reject equivalent paper rolls made
- by other companies.</p>
+ by other companies. This is implemented by an RFID tag, which keeps
+ track of how many labels remain on the roll, and blocks further
+ printing when the roll is empty—an efficient way to prevent
+ reusing the same RFID with a third-party roll.</p>
</li>
@@ -214,17 +286,4 @@
</li>
- <li id="M202110160">
- <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-10</small>'
- --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
- <p>Canon's all-in-one printer, scanner, and fax machine carries
- proprietary software that <a
-
href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/legal/canon-sued-for-disabling-scanner-when-printers-run-out-of-ink/";>
- arbitrarily restricts use of the device</a>. In particular, it
- stops the user from sending faxes, or scanning, if the machine is
- out of ink. Since there's no need for ink to scan or send faxes,
- Canon is being sued by its customers for this restrictive
- behavior.</p>
- </li>
-
<li id="M202108240">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-08</small>'
@@ -363,9 +422,9 @@
shut down the service to control them through</a>.</p>
- <p>While it is laudable that Best Buy recognized it was mistreating
- the customers by doing so, this doesn't alter the facts that
- tethering the device to a particular server is a path to screwing the
- users, and that it is a consequence of having nonfree software in the
- device.</p>
+ <p>Best Buy acknowledged that it was mistreating its customers by
+ doing so, and offered reimbursement of the affected appliances. The
+ fact remains, however, that tethering a device to a server is a way
+ of restricting and harassing users. The nonfree software in the
+ device is what stops users from cutting the tether.</p>
</li>
@@ -383,4 +442,14 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201903250">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-03</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>The British supermarket Tesco sold tablets which were tethered
+ to Tesco's server for reinstalling default settings. Tesco <a
+
href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/mar/25/tesco-hudl-tablet-support-kill-fix";>
+ turned off the server for old models</a>, so now if you try to
+ reinstall the default settings, it bricks them instead.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201903210">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-03</small>'
@@ -613,4 +682,29 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201711010">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-11</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Sony has brought back its robotic pet Aibo, this time <a
+
href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/bj778v/sony-wants-to-sell-you-a-subscription-to-a-robot-dog-aibo-90s-pet";>
+ with a universal back door, and tethered to a server that requires
+ a subscription</a>.</p>
+ </li>
+
+ <li id="M201710040.1">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-10</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>The Canary home surveillance
+ camera has been sabotaged by its manufacturer, <a
+
href="https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/4/16426394/canary-smart-home-camera-free-service-update-change";>
+ turning off many features unless the user starts paying for a
+ subscription</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>With manufacturers like these, who needs security breakers?</p>
+
+ <p>The purchasers should learn the larger lesson and reject connected
+ appliances with embedded proprietary software. Every such product is
+ a temptation to commit sabotage.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201710040">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-10</small>'
@@ -1201,4 +1295,25 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201405200">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2014-05</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Spyware in LG “smart” TVs <a
+
href="http://doctorbeet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/lg-smart-tvs-logging-usb-filenames-and.html";>
+ reports what the user watches, and the switch to turn this off has
+ no effect</a>. (The fact that the transmission reports a 404 error
+ really means nothing; the server could save that data anyway.)</p>
+
+ <p>Even worse, it <a
+
href="https://rrrrambles.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/lg-tv-logging-filenames-from-network-folders/";>
+ snoops on other devices on the user's local network</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>LG later said it had installed a patch to stop this, but any
+ product could spy this way.</p>
+
+ <p>Meanwhile, LG TVs <a
+
href="https://www.techdirt.com/2014/05/20/lg-will-take-smart-out-your-smart-tv-if-you-dont-agree-to-share-your-viewing-search-data-with-third-parties/";>
+ do lots of spying anyway</a>.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201404250">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2014-04</small>'
@@ -1418,5 +1533,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/05/29 12:03:52 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 21:09:28 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 malware-cars.html malware-cars.html
--- malware-cars.html 2023-05-30 04:10:09.399144436 +0000
+++ malware-cars.html 2023-05-31 04:05:27.848778348 +0000
@@ -177,4 +177,14 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M202111200">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-11</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Hundreds of Tesla drivers <a
+
href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/nov/20/tesla-app-outage-elon-musk-apologises";>were
+ locked out of their cars as a result of Tesla's app suffering from an
+ outage</a>, which happened because the app is tethered to the company's
+ servers.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M202008181">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2020-08</small>'
@@ -546,5 +556,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/04/25 14:14:20 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 12:35:04 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 malware-mobiles.html malware-mobiles.html
--- malware-mobiles.html 2023-05-30 04:10:09.575144373 +0000
+++ malware-mobiles.html 2023-05-31 04:05:27.984778254 +0000
@@ -365,5 +365,5 @@
no way of verifying TikTok's claim that the keylogger-like code
only serves purely technical functions. Some of the accessed data
- could well be saved to the company's servers, and even shared with
+ could well be saved to the company's servers, and even sent to
third parties. This would open the door to extensive surveillance,
including by the Chinese government (to which TikTok has indirect
@@ -474,4 +474,17 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201612060.1">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-12</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>The “smart” toys My Friend Cayla and i-Que can be <a
+
href="https://www.forbrukerradet.no/siste-nytt/connected-toys-violate-consumer-laws/";>remotely
+ controlled with a mobile phone</a>; physical access is not
+ necessary. This would enable crackers to listen in on a child's
+ conversations, and even speak into the toys themselves.</p>
+
+ <p>This means a burglar could speak into the toys and ask the child
+ to unlock the front door while Mommy's not looking.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201607290">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-07</small>'
@@ -506,4 +519,19 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201605020">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-05</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Samsung's “Smart Home” has a big security hole; <a
+
href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/05/samsung-smart-home-flaws-lets-hackers-make-keys-to-front-door/";>
+ unauthorized people can remotely control it</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>Samsung claims that this is an “open” platform so the
+ problem is partly the fault of app developers. That is clearly true
+ if the apps are proprietary software.</p>
+
+ <p>Anything whose name is “Smart” is most likely going
+ to screw you.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201603100">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-03</small>'
@@ -1298,4 +1326,36 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201703140">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-03</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>A computerized vibrator <a
+
href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/10/vibrator-phone-app-we-vibe-4-plus-bluetooth-hack";>
+ was snooping on its users through the proprietary control app</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>The app was reporting the temperature of the vibrator minute by
+ minute (thus, indirectly, whether it was surrounded by a person's
+ body), as well as the vibration frequency.</p>
+
+ <p>Note the totally inadequate proposed response: a labeling
+ standard with which manufacturers would make statements about their
+ products, rather than free software which users could have checked
+ and changed.</p>
+
+ <p>The company that made the vibrator <a
+
href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/14/wevibe-sex-toy-data-collection-chicago-lawsuit";>
+ was sued for collecting lots of personal information about how people
+ used it</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>The company's statement that it was anonymizing the data may be
+ true, but it doesn't really matter. If it had sold the data to a data
+ broker, the data broker would have been able to figure out who the
+ user was.</p>
+
+ <p>Following this lawsuit, <a
+
href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/mar/14/we-vibe-vibrator-tracking-users-sexual-habits";>
+ the company has been ordered to pay a total of C$4m</a> to its
+ customers.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201701210">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-01</small>'
@@ -1718,5 +1778,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/04/04 10:55:42 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 21:09:28 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary-drm.html proprietary-drm.html
--- proprietary-drm.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.147144168 +0000
+++ proprietary-drm.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.164778128 +0000
@@ -120,5 +120,5 @@
can't turn them off.</li>
- <li>It can collect viewing information and share it with other
+ <li>It can collect viewing information and send it to other
companies to take surveys. Until 2011, user registration was
required, so the viewing habits of each customer were recorded. We
@@ -175,8 +175,8 @@
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2022-02</small>'
--><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
- <p>Hewlett-Packard printer producing company <a
-
href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/feb/19/how-cheap-ink-cartridges-can-cost-you-dear";>is
- implementing DRM in its machines so they won't work</a> if someone
- uses ink from another supplier.</p>
+ <p>Hewlett-Packard is <a
+
href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/feb/19/how-cheap-ink-cartridges-can-cost-you-dear";>
+ implementing DRM in its printers</a> so they refuse to print with
+ ink cartridges from another supplier.</p>
</li>
@@ -188,5 +188,8 @@
Dymo is now embedding DRM in the paper rolls for its label
printers</a> to make those printers reject equivalent paper rolls made
- by other companies.</p>
+ by other companies. This is implemented by an RFID tag, which keeps
+ track of how many labels remain on the roll, and blocks further
+ printing when the roll is empty—an efficient way to prevent
+ reusing the same RFID with a third-party roll.</p>
</li>
@@ -507,4 +510,16 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201212180">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2012-12</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Samsung “Smart” TVs have <a
+
href="https://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php?title=SamyGO_for_DUMMIES#What_are_Restricted_Firmwares.3F";>
+ turned Linux into the base for a tyrant system</a> so as to impose
+ DRM. What enables Samsung to do this is that Linux is released
+ under GNU GPL version 2, <a
+ href="/licenses/rms-why-gplv3.html">not version 3</a>, together with
+ a weak interpretation of GPL version 2.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201102250">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2011-02</small>'
@@ -648,5 +663,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/05/29 12:03:52 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 21:09:28 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary-fraud.html proprietary-fraud.html
--- proprietary-fraud.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.175144158 +0000
+++ proprietary-fraud.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.180778117 +0000
@@ -62,17 +62,4 @@
<ul class="blurbs">
- <li id="M202110160">
- <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-10</small>'
- --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
- <p>Canon's all-in-one printer, scanner, and fax machine carries
- proprietary software that <a
-
href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/legal/canon-sued-for-disabling-scanner-when-printers-run-out-of-ink/";>
- arbitrarily restricts use of the device</a>. In particular, it
- stops the user from sending faxes, or scanning, if the machine is
- out of ink. Since there's no need for ink to scan or send faxes,
- Canon is being sued by its customers for this restrictive
- behavior.</p>
- </li>
-
<li id="M202106220">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-06</small>'
@@ -176,5 +163,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/05/26 09:55:34 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 13:12:52 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary.html proprietary.html
--- proprietary.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.275144122 +0000
+++ proprietary.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.200778104 +0000
@@ -226,4 +226,14 @@
<ul class="blurbs">
+ <li id="M202305040">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2023-05</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Controlling Honeywell internet thermostats with the dedicated
+ app has proven unreliable, due to <a
+
href="https://piunikaweb.com/2022/03/15/honeywell-total-connect-comfort-app-website-not-working-issue/";>
+ recurrent connection issues with the server these thermostats are
+ tethered to</a>.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M202305100">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2023-05</small>'
@@ -287,16 +297,4 @@
the owner of the car had not subscribed to the relevant service.</p>
</li>
-
- <li id="M202207140">
- <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2022-07</small>'
- --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
- <p>BMW is now luring British customers into <a
-
href="https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/14/business/bmw-subscription/index.html";>
- paying for the built-in heated-seat feature of their new cars on a
- subscription basis</a>. People also have the option to buy the feature
- when they are paying for the car, but those who bought a used car have
- to pay BMW extra money to remotely enable the heated seats. This is
- probably done by BMW accessing a back door in the car software.</p>
- </li>
</ul>
<p class="button right-align">
@@ -361,5 +359,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/05/20 10:12:48 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 13:12:53 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary-incompatibility.html proprietary-incompatibility.html
--- proprietary-incompatibility.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.327144104 +0000
+++ proprietary-incompatibility.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.220778090 +0000
@@ -95,13 +95,4 @@
</li>
- <li id="M201802120">
- <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2018-02</small>'
- --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
- <p>Apple devices lock users in <a
-
href="https://gizmodo.com/homepod-is-the-ultimate-apple-product-in-a-bad-way-1822883347";>
- solely to Apple services</a> by being designed to be incompatible
- with all other options, ethical or unethical.</p>
- </li>
-
<li id="M201605044">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-05</small>'
@@ -184,5 +175,5 @@
Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
-<p>Copyright © 2018-2021 Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
+<p>Copyright © 2018-2021, 2023 Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
@@ -194,5 +185,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2021/11/09 08:49:20 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 12:57:34 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary-insecurity.html proprietary-insecurity.html
--- proprietary-insecurity.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.355144094 +0000
+++ proprietary-insecurity.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.244778073 +0000
@@ -154,5 +154,5 @@
no way of verifying TikTok's claim that the keylogger-like code
only serves purely technical functions. Some of the accessed data
- could well be saved to the company's servers, and even shared with
+ could well be saved to the company's servers, and even sent to
third parties. This would open the door to extensive surveillance,
including by the Chinese government (to which TikTok has indirect
@@ -452,4 +452,27 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M202011230">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2020-11</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Some Wavelink and JetStream wifi routers have
+ universal back doors that enable unauthenticated
+ users to remotely control not only the routers, but
+ also any devices connected to the network. There is evidence that <a
+
href="https://cybernews.com/security/walmart-exclusive-routers-others-made-in-china-contain-backdoors-to-control-devices/";>
+ this vulnerability is actively exploited</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>If you consider buying a router, we encourage you to get one
+ that <a href="https://ryf.fsf.org/categories/routers";>runs on free
+ software</a>. Any attempts at introducing malicious functionalities in
+ it (e.g., through a firmware update) will be detected by the community,
+ and soon corrected.</p>
+
+ <p>If unfortunately you own a router that runs on
+ proprietary software, don't panic! You may be able to
+ replace its firmware with a free operating system such as <a
+ href="https://librecmc.org";>libreCMC</a>. If you don't know how,
+ you can get help from a nearby GNU/Linux user group.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M202011120">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2020-11</small>'
@@ -745,4 +768,14 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201706200">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-06</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Many models of Internet-connected cameras
+ are tremendously insecure. They have login
+ accounts with hard-coded passwords, which can't be changed, and <a
+
href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/06/internet-cameras-expose-private-video-feeds-and-remote-controls/";>there
+ is no way to delete these accounts either</a>.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201706050">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-06</small>'
@@ -832,4 +865,18 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201702280">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-02</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>“CloudPets” toys with microphones <a
+
href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/feb/28/cloudpets-data-breach-leaks-details-of-500000-children-and-adults";>
+ leak childrens' conversations to the manufacturer</a>. Guess what? <a
+
href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/pgwean/internet-of-things-teddy-bear-leaked-2-million-parent-and-kids-message-recordings";>
+ Crackers found a way to access the data</a> collected by the
+ manufacturer's snooping.</p>
+
+ <p>That the manufacturer and the FBI could listen to these
+ conversations was unacceptable by itself.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201702200">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-02</small>'
@@ -949,4 +996,18 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201607280">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-07</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>A half-blind security critique of a tracking app: it found that <a
+
href="https://www.consumerreports.org/mobile-security-software/glow-pregnancy-app-exposed-women-to-privacy-threats-a1100919965/";>
+ blatant flaws allowed anyone to snoop on a user's personal data</a>.
+ The critique fails entirely to express concern that the app sends the
+ personal data to a server, where the <em>developer</em> gets it all.
+ This “service” is for suckers!</p>
+
+ <p>The server surely has a “privacy policy,” and surely
+ it is worthless since nearly all of them are.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201607220">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-07</small>'
@@ -1355,5 +1416,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/05/27 14:35:01 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 21:09:28 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary-interference.html proprietary-interference.html
--- proprietary-interference.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.379144085 +0000
+++ proprietary-interference.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.268778056 +0000
@@ -94,13 +94,4 @@
</li>
- <li id="M202202190">
- <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2022-02</small>'
- --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
- <p>Hewlett-Packard printer producing company <a
-
href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/feb/19/how-cheap-ink-cartridges-can-cost-you-dear";>is
- implementing DRM in its machines so they won't work</a> if someone
- uses ink from another supplier.</p>
- </li>
-
<li id="M202201050">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2022-01</small>'
@@ -114,17 +105,4 @@
</li>
- <li id="M202110160">
- <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-10</small>'
- --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
- <p>Canon's all-in-one printer, scanner, and fax machine carries
- proprietary software that <a
-
href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/legal/canon-sued-for-disabling-scanner-when-printers-run-out-of-ink/";>
- arbitrarily restricts use of the device</a>. In particular, it
- stops the user from sending faxes, or scanning, if the machine is
- out of ink. Since there's no need for ink to scan or send faxes,
- Canon is being sued by its customers for this restrictive
- behavior.</p>
- </li>
-
<li id="M202110070">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-10</small>'
@@ -535,5 +513,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/05/27 14:35:01 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 13:12:52 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary-manipulation.html proprietary-manipulation.html
--- proprietary-manipulation.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.427144068 +0000
+++ proprietary-manipulation.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.312778026 +0000
@@ -179,17 +179,4 @@
</li>
- <li id="M201904260">
- <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-04</small>'
- --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
- <p>The Jibo robot toys were tethered to the manufacturer's server,
- and <a
href="https://apnews.com/article/san-francisco-north-america-technology-business-ap-top-news-99c9ec8ebad242ca88178e22c7642648";>
- the company made them all cease to work</a> by shutting down that
- server.</p>
-
- <p>The shutdown might ironically be good for their users, since the
- product was designed to manipulate people by presenting a phony
- semblance of emotions, and was most certainly spying on them.</p>
- </li>
-
<li id="M201809121">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2018-09</small>'
@@ -275,5 +262,5 @@
Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
-<p>Copyright © 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
+<p>Copyright © 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Free Software Foundation,
Inc.</p>
<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
@@ -285,5 +272,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2022/08/28 07:17:03 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 12:57:34 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary-obsolescence.html proprietary-obsolescence.html
--- proprietary-obsolescence.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.471144052 +0000
+++ proprietary-obsolescence.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.432777942 +0000
@@ -128,4 +128,20 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201902080">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-02</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>The HP <a
+ href="https://boingboing.net/2019/02/08/inkjet-dystopias.html";>
+ “ink subscription” cartridges have DRM that constantly
+ communicates with HP servers</a> to make sure the user is still
+ paying for the subscription, and hasn't printed more pages than were
+ paid for.</p>
+
+ <p>Even though the ink subscription program may be cheaper in some
+ specific cases, it spies on users, and involves totally unacceptable
+ restrictions in the use of ink cartridges that would otherwise be in
+ working order.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201810240">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2018-10</small>'
@@ -252,5 +268,5 @@
Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
-<p>Copyright © 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
+<p>Copyright © 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 Free Software Foundation,
Inc.</p>
<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
@@ -262,5 +278,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2022/09/14 13:30:29 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 12:57:34 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary-sabotage.html proprietary-sabotage.html
--- proprietary-sabotage.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.491144045 +0000
+++ proprietary-sabotage.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.456777926 +0000
@@ -202,4 +202,20 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M202007280">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2020-07</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>The Focals eyeglass display, with snooping
+ microphone, has been eliminated. Google eliminated
+ it by buying the manufacturer and shutting it down. It also <a
+
href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/canadian-smart-glasses-going-offline-weeks-after-company-bought-by-google-1.5042010";>shut
+ down the server these devices depend on</a>, which caused the ones
+ already sold to cease to function.</p>
+
+ <p>It may be a good thing to wipe out this product—for
+ “smart,” read “snoop”—but Google
+ didn't do that for the sake of privacy. Rather, it was eliminating
+ competition for its own snooping product.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M202007270">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2020-07</small>'
@@ -248,4 +264,18 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201909061">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-09</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Best Buy made controllable appliances and <a
+
href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/6/20853671/best-buy-connect-insignia-smart-plug-wifi-freezer-mobile-app-shutdown-november-6";>
+ shut down the service to control them through</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>Best Buy acknowledged that it was mistreating its customers by
+ doing so, and offered reimbursement of the affected appliances. The
+ fact remains, however, that tethering a device to a server is a way
+ of restricting and harassing users. The nonfree software in the
+ device is what stops users from cutting the tether.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201908130">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-08</small>'
@@ -271,4 +301,17 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201904260">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-04</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>The Jibo robot toys were tethered to the manufacturer's server,
+ and <a
href="https://apnews.com/article/san-francisco-north-america-technology-business-ap-top-news-99c9ec8ebad242ca88178e22c7642648";>
+ the company made them all cease to work</a> by shutting down that
+ server.</p>
+
+ <p>The shutdown might ironically be good for their users, since the
+ product was designed to manipulate people by presenting a phony
+ semblance of emotions, and was most certainly spying on them.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201904041">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-04</small>'
@@ -950,5 +993,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/05/20 10:12:48 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 12:35:06 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary-subscriptions.html proprietary-subscriptions.html
--- proprietary-subscriptions.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.515144037 +0000
+++ proprietary-subscriptions.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.484777906 +0000
@@ -193,4 +193,14 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M202005070">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2020-05</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Wink sells a “smart” home hub that is tethered
+ to a server. In May 2020, it ordered the purchasers to start <a
+
href="https://www.techhive.com/article/578539/wink-users-revolt-following-its-sudden-shift-to-a-subscription-model.html";>
+ paying a monthly fee for the use of that server</a>. Because of the
+ tethering, the hub is useless without that.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201910071">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-10</small>'
@@ -244,4 +254,22 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201710040">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-10</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Every “home security” camera, if its
+ manufacturer can communicate with it, is a surveillance device. <a
+
href="https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/4/16426394/canary-smart-home-camera-free-service-update-change";>
+ Canary camera is an example</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>The article describes wrongdoing by the manufacturer, based on
+ the fact that the device is tethered to a server.</p>
+
+ <p><a href="/proprietary/proprietary-tethers.html">More about
+ proprietary tethering</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>But it also demonstrates that the device gives the company
+ surveillance capability.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201507150">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2015-07</small>'
@@ -330,5 +358,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/05/29 11:06:10 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 12:35:06 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary-surveillance.html proprietary-surveillance.html
--- proprietary-surveillance.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.539144028 +0000
+++ proprietary-surveillance.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.504777892 +0000
@@ -695,5 +695,5 @@
track” options are available, but tracking doesn't stop if
the user activates them: Apple keeps on collecting data for itself,
- although it claims not to share it with third parties.</p>
+ although it claims not to send it to third parties.</p>
<p><a
@@ -2557,4 +2557,14 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201405200.1">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2014-05</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>LG <a
+
href="https://www.techdirt.com/2014/05/20/lg-will-take-smart-out-your-smart-tv-if-you-dont-agree-to-share-your-viewing-search-data-with-third-parties/";>
+ disabled network features</a> on <em>previously purchased</em>
+ “smart” TVs, unless the purchasers agreed to let LG begin
+ to snoop on them and distribute their personal data.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201405200">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2014-05</small>'
@@ -2578,4 +2588,21 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201311210">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2013-11</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Spyware in LG “smart” TVs <a
+
href="https://doctorbeet.blogspot.com/2013/11/lg-smart-tvs-logging-usb-filenames-and.html";>
+ reports what the user watches, and the switch to turn this off has
+ no effect</a>. (The fact that the transmission reports a 404 error
+ really means nothing; the server could save that data anyway.)</p>
+
+ <p>Even worse, it <a
+
href="https://rrrrambles.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/lg-tv-logging-filenames-from-network-folders/";>
+ snoops on other devices on the user's local network</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>LG later said it had installed a patch to stop this, but any
+ product could spy this way.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201212170">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2012-12</small>'
@@ -2643,4 +2670,22 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201710040">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-10</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Every “home security” camera, if its
+ manufacturer can communicate with it, is a surveillance device. <a
+
href="https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/4/16426394/canary-smart-home-camera-free-service-update-change";>
+ Canary camera is an example</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>The article describes wrongdoing by the manufacturer, based on
+ the fact that the device is tethered to a server.</p>
+
+ <p><a href="/proprietary/proprietary-tethers.html">More about
+ proprietary tethering</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>But it also demonstrates that the device gives the company
+ surveillance capability.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201603220">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-03</small>'
@@ -2734,4 +2779,17 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201612060.1">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-12</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>The “smart” toys My Friend Cayla and i-Que can be <a
+
href="https://www.forbrukerradet.no/siste-nytt/connected-toys-violate-consumer-laws/";>remotely
+ controlled with a mobile phone</a>; physical access is not
+ necessary. This would enable crackers to listen in on a child's
+ conversations, and even speak into the toys themselves.</p>
+
+ <p>This means a burglar could speak into the toys and ask the child
+ to unlock the front door while Mommy's not looking.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201612060">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-12</small>'
@@ -2925,4 +2983,17 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201708230">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-08</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Sonos <a
+
href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/sonos-accept-new-privacy-policy-speakers-cease-to-function/";>
+ told all its customers, “Agree”
+ to snooping or the product will stop working</a>. <a
+
href="https://www.consumerreports.org/consumerist/sonos-holds-software-updates-hostage-if-you-dont-sign-new-privacy-agreement/";>
+ Another article</a> says they won't forcibly change the software, but
+ people won't be able to get any upgrades and eventually it will
+ stop working.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201706204">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-06</small>'
@@ -3801,5 +3872,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/05/27 14:35:01 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 21:09:28 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary-tethers.html proprietary-tethers.html
--- proprietary-tethers.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.559144021 +0000
+++ proprietary-tethers.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.520777881 +0000
@@ -70,11 +70,12 @@
<ul class="blurbs">
- <li id="M202203150">
- <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2022-03</small>'
+ <li id="M202305040">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2023-05</small>'
--><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
- <p>Honeywell/Resideo Internet thermostats
- became offline and people were unable to use them <a
-
href="https://piunikaweb.com/2022/03/15/honeywell-total-connect-comfort-app-website-not-working-issue/";>since
- they are tethered to company servers</a>.</p>
+ <p>Controlling Honeywell internet thermostats with the dedicated
+ app has proven unreliable, due to <a
+
href="https://piunikaweb.com/2022/03/15/honeywell-total-connect-comfort-app-website-not-working-issue/";>
+ recurrent connection issues with the server these thermostats are
+ tethered to</a>.</p>
</li>
@@ -146,9 +147,9 @@
shut down the service to control them through</a>.</p>
- <p>While it is laudable that Best Buy recognized it was mistreating
- the customers by doing so, this doesn't alter the facts that
- tethering the device to a particular server is a path to screwing the
- users, and that it is a consequence of having nonfree software in the
- device.</p>
+ <p>Best Buy acknowledged that it was mistreating its customers by
+ doing so, and offered reimbursement of the affected appliances. The
+ fact remains, however, that tethering a device to a server is a way
+ of restricting and harassing users. The nonfree software in the
+ device is what stops users from cutting the tether.</p>
</li>
@@ -270,4 +271,22 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201710040">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-10</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Every “home security” camera, if its
+ manufacturer can communicate with it, is a surveillance device. <a
+
href="https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/4/16426394/canary-smart-home-camera-free-service-update-change";>
+ Canary camera is an example</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>The article describes wrongdoing by the manufacturer, based on
+ the fact that the device is tethered to a server.</p>
+
+ <p><a href="/proprietary/proprietary-tethers.html">More about
+ proprietary tethering</a>.</p>
+
+ <p>But it also demonstrates that the device gives the company
+ surveillance capability.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201708310">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-08</small>'
@@ -428,5 +447,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2023/05/26 15:55:26 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 13:12:53 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
diff -rNU2 proprietary-tyrants.html proprietary-tyrants.html
--- proprietary-tyrants.html 2023-05-30 04:10:10.659143985 +0000
+++ proprietary-tyrants.html 2023-05-31 04:05:28.540777867 +0000
@@ -80,4 +80,13 @@
</li>
+ <li id="M201802120">
+ <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2018-02</small>'
+ --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" -->
+ <p>Apple devices lock users in <a
+
href="https://gizmodo.com/homepod-is-the-ultimate-apple-product-in-a-bad-way-1822883347";>
+ solely to Apple services</a> by being designed to be incompatible
+ with all other options, ethical or unethical.</p>
+ </li>
+
<li id="M201607150">
<!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-07</small>'
@@ -210,5 +219,5 @@
Information document, www.gnu.org/prep/maintain. -->
-<p>Copyright © 2014-2022 Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
+<p>Copyright © 2014-2023 Free Software Foundation, Inc.</p>
<p>This page is licensed under a <a rel="license"
@@ -220,5 +229,5 @@
<p class="unprintable">Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2022/11/26 11:26:56 $
+$Date: 2023/05/30 12:57:34 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
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