A Protection App the Slurps
Oh, just insert deception/scam/hypocrisy rant here.
Facebook has pulled its data-snaffling Onavo VPN from Apple's App Store after the iGiant said the tech violated recently tightened rules. Onavo is a free VPN app that pipes user traffic through Facebook systems under the pretext of protecting surfers from malware-tainted websites and other threats. The app, which the social …
That's the part that's most terrifying... Google, the world biggest slurper after Facebook, isn't going to enforce the same rule and bring a ban-hammer for Onavo. Another day, another unanswered 'Data-Crime...
Regardless of which of the two can claim "first", it would be pretty hypocritical of Google to shut down this app given that it isn't doing anything Google itself isn't doing. Well, other than the "hey, that personal information is OUR personal information, hands off!" defense, which isn't going to make them look all that good.
It can hardly be called a VPN as in Virtual Private, unless they're using 'virtual' in the 'almost but not quite entirely unlike' way.
I'm agog as to why anyone with an ounce of sense would 'buy into' this.
It's like baby eating trolls setting up a nursery and babysitting service.
I just tell them "I'm sorry, I'm not able to see Facebook pages" and leave it at that. If they want me to see something badly enough, then it's on them to find a real link to it.
With businesses, I say something similar. If they tell me to check their Facebook page, I tell them I can't, and if Facebook is their only presence then they are invisible to me online. Fortunately, more and more business are either moving away from Facebook or are setting up real websites in addition to Facebook, so this doesn't happen as much as it used to.
Oh, to live on Sugar Mountain
With the barkers and the colored balloons,
You're the product on Sugar Mountain
Though you're thinking that
you're leaving there too soon,
You're leaving there too soon.
It's so noisy at the fair
But all your friends are there
And the candy floss you had
And your mother and your dad.
prophetic verses by Neil Young, 1964
20 years before SugarMountain was born
I think you paraphrased that a bit. Another one that needs revision for these times is Zappa's "I Am The Slime"
Excerpt (off the top of my head):
I may be vile and pernicious, but you can't look away.
I make you think I'm delicious with the things that I say.
...
You will obey me while I lead you.
Don't go for help; no one will head you.
Your mind is totally controlled.
I has been pressed into my mold,
and you will do as you are told,
until the rights to you are are sold.
-- Frank Zappa, "I Am The Slime"
Another prophetic song that is not as subtle is from the mighty Priest from their 1982 song: "Electric Eye".
Electric Eye
Judas Priest
Up here in space
I'm looking down on you
My lasers trace
Everything you do
You think you've private lives
Think nothing of the kind
There is no true escape
I'm watching all the time
I'm made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean
I'm elected electric spy
I'm protected electric eye
Always in focus
You can't feel my stare
I zoom into you
You don't know I'm there
I take a pride in probing all your secret moves
My tearless retina takes pictures that can prove
Seems Apple is starting to push privacy as their USP. Whilst themselves still slurp, seem apple maps, Siri etc, they do at least "seem" to keep it to themselves and not flog it off to anybody with a few $.
I'm expecting to see more and more of a push for privacy on Apple devices and app store as this becomes a more perceived issue to the plebs.
As for why anybody would use this, its a VPN that they are told helps keep them "Private" online and that they should use one. Its aimed right at those who are keen on security but not from the tech background.