New post: Choosing a VoIP Service When You're Desktop-First and Don't Like Phones

https://lanie.work/technology/voip-for-desktop-first-users/

#Accessibility #Disability #Technology #Workflow #Voip #Desktop-First #Iphone #Windows #Google-Voice

#Android verification is coming: #Google confirms timeline & supported app stores

Almost 20 years ago, Google pitched Android as the more open alternative to Apple's walled garden. Last year, Google announced it would begin erecting its own walls through #developer #verification. The company has issued an update on its plans, affirming that the verification system will begin rolling out in select countries later this year. We're also learning which app stores are participating in verification & the timeline for key features like the recently revealed "advanced flow" for bypassing verification.

Google has claimed that developer verification is a necessary change to #smartphone software distribution, pointing to the increased prevalence of #scams that trick Android users into installing #malware apps. Google's solution requires verifying the identities of developers outside the Play Store just like it does for devs publishing on its platform.
#privacy #security

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/06/google-shares-updated-timeline-for-rolling-out-android-developer-verification/

🚨 Google is now asking you to grant camera access and show your hands to prove you're a human?!

--> I am not a robot tests have officially gone to far.

Just when you think the Big Tech can't get more privacy-invading, it does! 🫣

#Google #verification #privacy

Alt...

Screenshot of a Reddit posted titled, "This is getting ridiculous" with a screenshot of Google's gesture with your hand verification system.

No more sharing YouTube links for me. They link to your personal account automatically. The dickfaced bastards clearly failed to contemplate the privacy and SAFETY nightmare this will cause. #google #youtube #safety #OnlineSafety #privacy

Most people don't know Google has a free tool to remove your home address, phone number, and email from Search results. It's called Results About You (myaccount.google.com/results-about-you). It monitors for new matches and lets you request removal with one click. #privacy #Google #databrokers #infosec #indigoprivacy

Google Chrome update will close the door on ad blockers

https://9to5google.com/2026/06/15/google-chromes-next-update-will-mark-the-end-of-popular-ad-blockers/

#HackerNews #Google #Chrome #adblockers #update #adtech #privacy #changes

Google just called its new AI Search the "biggest upgrade in 25 years" but really, it's killing the open web.  😡

The open web was built by millions of people sharing knowledge freely → Now, Google who owns the monopoly on Search is ruining it. 

We wrote about what's really happening, and what you can do about it 👉 https://tuta.com/blog/why-google-ai-search-is-bad

#AI #AISearch #Google 

Alt...

Image of old Google with the title "How it started" and an image of the new Google with AI titled, "How it's going" and a text with an arrow pointing at Google's new AI search saying, "This is killing the open web"

Bra at noen fører det videre. Jeg har klaget til vipps for noen år siden men fikk bare til svar at det er pga. "sikkerheten" og de ikke kan gjøre noe med det.

#bankid #vipps #betaling #Norge #google #android

Oh, my. Well, this is awkward. Here I thought I'd become a daddy, all-knowing AI.

From Google:

You may have recently received an email from us with the subject line "Your child’s new privacy settings for Search services."

This email may have been sent to you in error. This communication was intended only for parents who manage their child’s Google Account. If you do not manage a child's account, no action is required on your part.

Thank you for your understanding, and we apologize for any confusion or concern this may have caused.

#Google #AI

⚠️ The FSFE has submitted its position to the @EUCommission's Android interoperability consultation under the #DMA

The FSFE is calling for the following, among other things:

🔹 the right to fully uninstall AI-based features from Android devices,

🔸 and access to interoperability functions for developers free from #Google verification requirements

https://fsfe.org/news/2026/news-20260615-01.en.html

#SoftwareFreedom #FreeSoftware

A #German Court Has Ruled That #Google Is Liable for False Statements Generated by #AIOverviews

The ruling holds that a company that designs, trains, operates, and manages an #AI system must assume legal #liability for any damages caused by the responses it generates.

https://www.wired.com/story/a-court-has-ruled-that-google-is-liable-for-false-statements-generated-by-ai-overviews/

According to the court, correcting misinformation is not the responsibility of third parties. Google is the only entity with the ability to modify the technology underpinning its AI-generated summaries and, therefore, “must be held accountable.” Furthermore, the court found that Google's line of defense lacked merit, since the challenged summary “contains statements that do not appear at all in the search results.”

https://www.wired.com/story/a-court-has-ruled-that-google-is-liable-for-false-statements-generated-by-ai-overviews/

#google #ai #germany #court

#Authoritarian tech policy:

- #ChatControl,
- #Ageverification,
- #Google / #Apple #control,
- #Digital #app use etc

RE: https://mastodon.social/@Pettet8/116742131579090788

“Google was a different company 9 years ago.”

Hmm… was it, though? 🤔

https://ar.al/talks/#free-is-a-lie

#google #BigTech #peopleFarming #SiliconValley #surveillance #capitalism #meaCulpa

This week in #FDroid (TWIF) is live:

* 2.0 is as ready as possible, test now!
* #Google spreading FUD about #Android #FLOSS apps
* #Fedilab #Mastodon 'Collections'
* more #ReFra gallery goodies
* more categories
+ 34 new apps
& 293 updates

Grab all your devices from the drawers: https://f-droid.org/2026/06/12/twif.html

#KeepAndroidOpen

Massachusetts lawmakers advanced a privacy bill to Gov. Maura Healey requiring tech firms to delete sensitive personal data and stop selling location data. 🔒
The Senate-backed measure would limit data brokerage and targeted ads by firms including Meta and Google for 7 million residents. 🏛️

🔗 https://www.inc.com/moses-jeanfrancois/tech-giants-may-soon-be-forced-to-wipe-your-data-if-you-live-in-this-state-heres-why/91357761

#TechNews #Massachusetts #DataPrivacy #Meta #Google #Location #Data #Privacy #DataProtection #Surveillance #Transparency #DigitalRights #Security #Technology #Policy #Law

The UK just announced they'll scan every photo on your phone to "protect children." The problem? "Proof of age" isn't defined. No legislation. No spec. No limits. This is surveillance infrastructure with no defined end state.

https://thomaster.substack.com/p/the-uk-is-about-to-scan-every-photo

#Privacy #UK #Surveillance #DigitalRights #OnlineSafety #KeirStarmer #Labour #Apple #Google #BigBrother

WARNING: Apple MacOS 27 is reportedly loaded with massive, non-disableable Google Gemini AI SLOP

Presumably Apple is paying Google a fortune for access to their
misinformation SLOP machine Gemini AI, and Apple wants to make sure you can't opt-out. That's how the billionaire Big Tech CEOs operate. They stuff this garbage DOWN YOUR THROAT like they own you. DISGUSTING.

Reports so far -- subject to change as I learn more -- are that unlike in previous versions of macOS there is no simple way to disable "Apple Stupidity" -- oops, I meant "Apple Intelligence" which is wedded at the hip to Siri. Also, reports are that the AI crap alone is taking 10s of gigabytes of space and comes right back when deleted. If you don't have a big storage Mac, this is going to hurt. Does Apple care? OF COURSE NOT. Like Google, it's all about keeping their billionaire CEOs living the lifestyle to which they've become accustomed and we could never dream of.

You might let Apple know how you feel about this, for whatever good it does.

If I learn more that changes any of this, I'll let you know.

L

#google #apple #gemini #ai

"... If I sold Google some data cables, and months later sent them an email “btw in 5 business days your cables will start sending all the data going through them to me, even though you specifically told me not to enable this feature, unless you re-disable it”, I would go to jail for hacking."

#Surveillance #Panopticon #SpyWare #Google #Gemini #Privacy #Security #Email