Google owes its existence to the open web, but today, its technological “innovations” have much to do with locking users into a “walled garden.” The latest of these is “reCAPTCHA Mobile Verification,” an experimental initiative that will let companies block users if they are running independent, "de-googled" versions of Android. These “indie Android” versions are favored by people who want to protect their privacy and their attention by blocking trackers and ads.
  • blackbrook@mander.xyz
    22·
    4 days ago

    Just one quibble:

    The only reason to make a dishwasher that refuses a rival’s dishes is if the manufacturer’s own dishes are ugly, expensive, and/or badly made

    No, greed is reason enough. If they think they can get away with it, they would do that whether the dishes are good or bad, just to maximize how much money they can squeeze out of their customers.

    • DFX4509B@lemmy.wtfEnglish
      2·
      10 hours ago

      This smells of two odors: 1) Retaliation against the GrapheneOS deal with Lenovo/Moto Mobility and 2) Getting desktop users rounded up into the Google ecosystem before the launch of AluminumOS.