We live in the worst(?) cyberpunk dystopia timeline

Apr 7, 2024 12:31 PM

JambaJoose01

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8324

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453

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12

https://www.businessinsider.com/drones-home-insurance-cancellation-2024-4

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerdooley/2024/03/12/your-driving-data-may-be-sold-to-insurers-general-motors-reveals/?sh=58db388656ef

https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2024/how-data-collection-is-helping-businesses-gouge-you.html

I cannot stress this enough - use adblockers, deny adware when you use websites, use VPNs, if you can set up a personal VPN server, use DuckDuckGo and other anonymized web browsers. The less cohesive data picture the major companies have, the better for you. Sorry for the sad post. Below is a meme to make up for it.

Most "AI" solutions

Just move to europe. Here most if this would be illegal. Cars can only collect data if you allow it, so does insurance companies. Flying a drone over my house? Illegal without my permit.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Not surprised

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Get rid of Google services from your phone. Move to open source android. Use F-Droid instead of Play Store.

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Pretty soon not having data on you just means that they'll put you in the highest priced tiers, assuming you're high risk.

2 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 0

Unfortunately, you’re probably correct.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yep. "You won't let us collect data? Fine, that'll be $10,000 a year for insurance."

2 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

They will only insure people they are sure they probably will never have to pay out.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

#1 brb looking up net guns online

2 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Why commit a simple crime when you can make it crime brûlée? v

2 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

#2 "Driving your car on the *open road*...last bastions of *privacy*" What? Seriously? You are literally required to get a license plate which makes your vehicle easily identifiable for a central database, and it isn't illegal for anyone to point a camera at a public road. I agree with most of these images, but cars have never been bastions of privacy.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

And: Get a pihole ( https://pi-hole.net/ ) - it's the best you can do @home (and if you use a private VPN Connection when you are around it can be of great use there, too). VPN Companies try to sell there services as "protective", but that's not true.....

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Bring on the Butlerian Jihad.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

As someone in the AI space, I am continually pissed by all the Crypto/NFT-Bros who jumped from their sinking ship during the last crash and started polluting AI with their scams and get-rich-quick schemes. AI isn't the problem, it's the people who have been pushing to horde your data since before ML was even widely used, the people who continually lobby against needed data protections (in the US), and the people who hopped on the "AI" buzzword once they saw how much money was in it.

2 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

All data collection is to gouge you. Grocery Loyalty cards expecially. "But I save money" no you dont, no company is giving you a deal, they are manipulating you to spend more in the end. "But my data isnt worth that much" The richest men in the world are all data merchants, "I saved a dollar a gallon on my gas" Again, they arent giving you jack-all they inflate prices to make you think you are saving, corps dont give away a cent unless it will make them 2

2 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Fucking Lidl. "Come shop now, you have a free chocolate bar!" "Hi I come for the free chocolate bar" "I'm sorry, we're out of chocolate bars" (or the sneakier "Good, that'll be $1 because you got the wrong chocolate bar which was on the wrong shelf; the free ones are gone")

2 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

All those cancelled policies are hurting their profits. So now they're sending out mass mailings to those left, letting them know their policies are outdated and their rates are increasing.

2 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Kind of scary isn’t

2 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

it.

2 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Oopss

2 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

BEWARE! 13 yrs ago I lived in AZ, one day I got a letter from my Ins Co stating they were going to drop my policies if I didn't go to rehab within 30 days. I called my Ins guy who had all of our policies, he said he couldn't discuss it. After much pleading, he said it was because on the intake questionnaire at the Dr from a recent visit the nurse had marked me as a pot smoker - which I am not. After many calls to the Dr office I had to threaten legal action. They sent a correction to my Ins Co.

2 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

Please note - they were not my healthcare provider. They had Home/Car/Life insurance. Not only that, but they didn't even attempt to validate the info they got from the Dr, where I had been going for 7 years. I never went back.

2 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

I am VERY careful about what goes into my medico-legal records. I don't indulge in weed but if I did I would not be telling my doctor about it. (And this is why, unless you absolutely need it, you're better off without a medical card if recreational is legal in your state.) On the other hand, if you ever have surgery, you have to tell your anaesthesiologist--because they need to up the dosage for weed users

2 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

They "say" they used a drone, but they just use Google earth/maps

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Don't forget Facebook. Largest human behavior/control lab ever made.

2 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 1

BuT ThE GuBmINt WaNtS tO pUt MiCrOcHiPs IN mE

2 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Algorithmic pricing... not sure if this is an example of that but a convenience store chain where I live charges $1.50 for coffee any size *except* at the location in the rich towns where they charge by the size and they charge more, starting at $1.94. This is a recent development. Used to stop at one in a rich town on my way to work but now I take a different route to get cheaper coffee lol

2 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

Conversely, big box stores often charge more in low-income neighborhoods. Even places like Home Depot where they do price matching, the easy-to-steal stuff is all more expensive ostensibly to offset losses from theft.

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

2 years ago | Likes 93 Dislikes 5

Illegal hotel chain (AirBnB/Vrbo) is the funniest to me.

2 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 1

Social media pushing depression into teens and rooskie propaganda into the guillibles should be top of that list.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Never understood the technophobia and that cherry picking. Instead of going for the incredible Alpha Folder to study protein, iStar to diagnose cancer... they pick technologies which issue is the regulation from the administration

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 6

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Sadly not 😢 I wish but there are more and more anti science people in any social media platform

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The current biggest plagiarism machine is Youtube/Tiktok/Instagram.
While AI has the whole "took content for training without permission", the social-media apps are currently plagued by influencers whose whole content output is direct and unequivocal theft.
Here's a litteral 4 hour documentary made by HBomberguy himself breaking down some of the most high-profile cases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDp3cB5fHXQ
And another f
rom Kyle Hill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McM3CfDjGs0

2 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Wait til you see ChatGPT

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

I have, it doesn't go out of its way to plagiarize someone's work unless you very explicitly lead it down that rabbit hole and/or ask it to.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

So because it's not specifically taking from any one source that's better?

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

This is a "Would you rather get shot in the head or the foot" question. But even then? Yes.
Social Media Plagiarists (A) Steal the content directly and sell it off as their own. (B) Harass anyone who points out the source (sometimes even doxing). (C) Sue/Countersue the original creators. (D) Through ALL of this, they directly squash potential for income/growth for those content creators (as well as sometimes even ruining their lives directly).

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The drones are trespassing on private property. Shoot them down

2 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

That's a felony. Drones are considered aircraft, just the same as a normal plane. I get the sentiment, although I highly don't recommend knocking drones out of the sky.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

No, unless it is displaying police identification marks it is getting shot down. The FAA does not control below 500 feet.

2 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Who told you that? Got a source for that? Because that's normally what people say when they think they own any part of the air.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Nothing? Just a downvote? That's okay. Not the first time some idiot has come along with the whole FAA doesn't own this airspace or my backyard is private. Drones are required to be registered with the FAA if they weigh over 250g. You shoot the drone down, you shot something that the FAA regards as a registered plane regardless of where it is. Second, I assume "shoot" is with a gun. Which is another crime depending on the location to unload firearms in city limits. 3rd, by shooting a drone>

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Which unlike a bird, doesn't exactly fall out of the air. It can cause the drone to spin and fly into a highway, or sensitive infrastructure and it will be your fault. Drones have crazy flight info, and FAA are gonna know what the drone was doing. Better hope you have one really good excuse, was perfectly sober, and can prove the pilot was acting irresponsibly. That's just if it's a recreational flying drone. Shoot a business one down your fucked. Good luck though.

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

*you're

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Look for tools that click everything before removing the ads. Muddy their data with garbage.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I keep my car insurance app disabled on my phone until I need to use it as I know some day they are going to use it's accelerometer data to some day judge my movement and change my rates. I'm just glad I'm handy enough to keep my old data-less car on the road, I don't ever want to own something that phones home.

2 years ago | Likes 63 Dislikes 1

Could any app with location data turned on sell that info? I deliver for doordash and they recently added a "feature" that monitors my driving habits. I'm pretty sure they are selling that info.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

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2 years ago (deleted Jan 8, 2025 1:09 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

Geico is one of the shittiesr insurers and you have to legally opt in for telematics which tracks info to influence rates. Technically they cannot do that unless you opt in which they are required to clearly ask if you are opting in

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Any car that has onstar keeps the data on hard braking or driving fast and sends it to your insurance company. You can request your lexisnexis report for free and see how much data they have on you. It’s crazy how big your file can be and how intrusive it really is

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

How the hell does it know who your insurance company is?

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Your name, address and vehicle registration plate

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

How would the Onstar inside your car know your address and license plate?

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Analytics, it gets installed on the car with xyz VIN number. It gets sold, that VIN number never changes, so even if reg plates change, you can look up reg number from the vin number. And even if you have just one, the databases for who owns it are available to the speeding cameras, so most probably, it's a database onstar can pay for from which they'll have all your details.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

By the vin number. They compile a report every couple months and sell your info. If you ever get a rate increase that seems a bit high it’s likely they pulled your report.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You have a car insurance *app*? What does it *do*?

2 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

Let's me pay my bill, file claims, and check claim updates. Seeing as I'm in the middle of a lawsuit, it's been pretty handy.

2 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 0

so it does all the things the website can do, but with added spying capabilities. Got it.

2 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

The website sucks on mobile tho, and it can't spy on me any more than the website can given I disable the app.

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I put it on my phone for convenience to show proof of insurance to police and some other things. But apparently cops don't need it anymore. They can get it by scanning your plate or swiping your license.

2 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Which they're now using fixed, solar-powered cameras at intersections to do.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I have one that tracks my driving, in exchange for a price reduction just for having it installed plus another reduction for good driving. I turned off notifications and the app is so shitty that it broke the data collection so I just get the one reduction.

2 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

One question. Why do you have an app for your car insurance on your phone? Outside of address changes or updating CC info, I've only >

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

> actually needed to access/use my insurance...twice in the 16 years I've had it.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I've been in 3 accidents in the last 6 years and I wasn't at fault for any of them. Not to mention windshield replacements when a rock destroys it. I drive 45,000 miles a year in Illinois, being able to access it at any time is pretty nice.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I only have it installed because it's the only proof of insurance I get.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Unless the policy contract allows it or you opt in they literally cannot do that

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Won't they just assume the 'most risky' model for you if they don't get data?

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That sounds like a class action just waiting

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

i got a new car last year and ripped the sim card out of the dashboard unit immediatly. within weeks i got calls from 2 different people (someone that worked for the brand of the car and a guy from the insurance company) to bring the car back as they cant get any tracking data from the car and are ROYALLY pissed about it. fun fact: i told them both to take a hike.

2 years ago | Likes 55 Dislikes 1

How would one go about finding out if their specific vehicle had one of these, and then how to safely remove it?

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

google is your friend. it will probably involve removing the infotainment or more. and dont forget the onstar module, you can get special plugs you can put on the antenna cable to stop it phoning home. that thing also sends lots of data back.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

same except it uses eSIMs so I disconnected the antenna wires from the head unit.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

/gallery/n00QKnH

2 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

You the real MPV.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

good link. and yes, i also disabled the module as soon as i knew how.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I have a new pickup. I haven't yet disabled the telematics antenna yet but it is 100% on my list of things to do.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Out of curiosity, is there any downside to doing that? Does it disable any functionality? IDK if I'll when if ever I'll afford a new car. Maybe when all the used Honda Fits are dead.

2 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

there is no downside. prehaps the infotainment will complain but with the right obd computer you can turn off those features so it stops complaining.

2 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

What's the purpose of the car brand tracking it after you purchased it? And the insurance company? Never bought a new car in my life so I am so confused.

2 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

the car brand is selling the data and without the sim they cant get any data. the car got flagged for not sending data so they issued a recall to check.

2 years ago | Likes 26 Dislikes 0

So ridiculous. This may be a stupid question, but who are they selling it to and why?

2 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 0

they sell to data brokers wich then sell the data to inshurance companies and others.

2 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 0

Chain restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, grocery stores, has stations etc. will all send you targeted ads based on your location. The address will show up on social media, news feeds, ads in music and video streaming services, emails, texts, phone calls, etc. You might not even notice the ads but they are getting in your head subtle and influencing you. People complain about social media influencers while completely ignoring the infinitely more invasive corporate influencers.

2 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

That's why I use ad/script blockers on everything.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

*gas not has, *subtly

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I need the know-how to do this. Everyone does, in fact. Do you have any good source or did you already know what to do?

2 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

it depends on each car so you need some google-fu. some cars dont have a sim but a "digital" esim you cant remove. then you are best off killing the gsm antenna liek you can/must with the onstar module as shown here: /gallery/n00QKnH. dont forget axing the onstar, that one also sends data.

2 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Did that void the warranty on the vehicle?

2 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 0

no. the sim card is not relevant to the warranty. you might claim warranty when the system does not work because of a broken sim but i dont know why anyone would like all their vehicle and tracking data being transmitted and sold.

2 years ago | Likes 28 Dislikes 0

That is unless the warranty included a clause that the SIM unit must be maintained and the data must be collected in order for the warranty to be valid. I wonder whether that would hold up in court. I see no reason it wouldn't.

2 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

it does not. plenty of lawsuits have been had about this kind of stuff. cant deny warranty on a busted engine because the brain box in the dash could not send your tracking info back to the mothership to be sold off.

2 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

Interesting. Can you point me toward anything I could read about that? I'm not sure what to search for.

2 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

Tinfoil nutjobs: "Phones and other GPS tech track you." Normal people: "Don't be silly, that's impossible. How would they do such a despicable thing?" News: "Turns out phones and other GPS tech DO track you." Normal people: "Meh, makes sense I guess, who doesn't nowadays?"

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

("I don't want to have a phone" level of tinfoil nutjobs, not "Vaccines contain a microchip that tracks you but I use a phone with GPS and a permanent internet connection I pay for" level of tinfoil nutjobs)

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

So what you're saying is, shoot em down?

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

#1 No, they are looking for reasons to deny your claims. They are still happy to take your money.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Don't forget Imgur, which I've had open for less than 10 minutes.

2 years ago | Likes 109 Dislikes 1

2 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

How do you see the report?

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The new Imgur layout on PC also tries to constantly run scripts in the background, even if you just leave the page sitting idle.

2 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Just Use a pi-hole, that greatly reduces every tracking there is.

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I so easily forget that my pihole makes the internet tolerable

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Uh How do you block these?

2 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 0

Blockade helps

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Use a browser instead. The new version of the site lets you comment from a mobile browser. Then ad blocker (e.g. AdGuard for iPhone, Firefox + uBlock Origin for Android)

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

uBlock Origin.

2 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 0

How do I use that in the Imgur app?

2 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

You don't. But then again, I don't use the app because you have less control over things like that.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

If you're on Android, get yourself a copy of AdGuard. It can filter ads and trackers directly in apps as well as in the browser. My copy on my phone reports that since December of '22 when I installed it, it has blocked 3.7 million ads and 484,000 trackers, for a data savings of 169 GB.

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Blokada if you're on android, it blocks ads and trackers systemwide.

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

DuckDuckGo browser, you don't need to use the browser but it comes with an app tracker blocker you can turn on

2 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 2

Shit. Thank you. I had that set up, but then had to replace my phone and forgot to turn on the app protection on the new phone.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I, too, would like to know

2 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

uBlock Origin

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Already have it, so mission accomplished, I guess. Never seen it displayed like the above, though

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

What better place to collect data on someone than their VPN?

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

I fear all that using a VPN would do is tell Google and everyone else that I use a VPN.

2 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

The VPN egress points aren't unknown.

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

But if your neighbor has very risky behaviors that increase his risk for a claim while you don't, but you're both paying the same price for insurance, is that fair to the less risky homeowner? Same w/ car insurance
Now don't get me wrong, I know full well that insurance companies might charge them MORE w/out charging me less cuz it isn't about supply & demand, nor cost v profit anymore, when they set prices. Prices are set on the basis of what can they get away with. But that's a diff problem

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 7

Translation:"I want others to suffer so I can feel better".

2 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Not at all. I don't want to subsidize THEIR risky behavior with higher prices for my insurance.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

"It's fine because it doesn't negatively affect me." Yet.

2 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Well, if their house burns down because they they used gasoline in a kerosene heater, both of which is illegal in my community, but the insurance company ignores it, and my rates go up because of another house fire, is that not negatively affecting me?

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You’rebassuming the insurance company won’t just raise your rates anyway. There is no reason to think insurance companies would ever do anything to benefit you instead of themselves.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

They aren't doing it to benefit you. They are doing it to market to you. To PRETEND to you that they are on your side.

2 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0