“Make the Nation Read” is a great mission statement for a startup, that publishes free book summaries and promises to keep services free forever.
My old handset dies a natural death after living a long, fulfilled life of seven years, and I need to download several apps again, in the new monster that enslaves me, and I remain such a happy pawn – letting the monster play in my hands, not acknowledging that the reverse is equally true.
This book summary app does not allow me to read further, unless I agree to sharing the camera and microphone controls. It is brazen enough to show me a ‘Uninstall app’ button, on denying permission.
‘Well, if we don’t pay for a service, we are the product” is an old adage now, and no government has been able to regulate terms and conditions laid down by websites and apps.
I choose to click on the “Uninstall app” button – a small tribute to my privacy and freedom in a wired world.
Creative Experiments and More 
That’s the way, isn’t it?
Why do they need to mic and pics for the aps to function. Grrrr!
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The problem is there are no regulations for them.
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Agreed. And with cross-National availability, no way to enforce any regulations. It’s kind of like copywrite laws….
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Yes. I believe there is a kind of collusion. More info means more control, so governments turn a blind eye. They can ask for the data as a form of compliance at some stage.
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Apps for everything! I’m tired of it. Great six!
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Thank you, Lisa!
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I will be needing a new phone soon. Not looking forward to the experience.
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It takes time to get comfortable with it. Hope you have all the data backed up.
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I too am a minimalist phone user, calls, camera and Whatsapp for friends back in Scotland. The apps which claim the right to post on your sites and delete or amend your own words just baffle me. People accept this?
And thank you, Reena, for reblogging my piece this week, much appreciated.
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There are pieces where I run out of words to comment. A reblog is being fair to myself and my followers.
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Excellent Six, Reena. I recently had to (didn’t want to) purchase a new phone. O.M.G. After 6 years (4 of which saw no updates. yay!) I was appalled at the brazen “give us all your personal info and that of everyone one you know and maybe, just maybe we’ll let you play with us”. I’ve contemplated having no phone at all.
It appears everyone on this page is in consensus. Defy, deny, refuse as much and as long as possible!
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Bravo! Keep fighting for privacy rights 👍
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Yes! One reason i have so few apps, and use them sparingly.
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Good strategy!
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Good reminder: “Well, if we don’t pay for a service, we are the product”
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Thank you, Frank!
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CHEERING! Your story is wonderful with an ominous message for the ‘sheep’.
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Thank you, Susan!
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Well done. Au revoir apps. 7 years is good going for a device.
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Thank you!
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Here! Here!
Applaud the uninstalling of at least one ring of chains, no matter how unsubstantial they may seem.
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Thanks! I use web versions as far as possible, but there is no option at times.
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it’s a scary world contled by silicon valley
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Is there a way out?
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if by handset you mean phone seven years is an eternity. if something else, remember i am an american. lmao
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Yes. It is an eternity 🙂
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‘Big Brother’ is everywhere; ditch those apps!
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George Orwell must be feeling so inadequate 🙂
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He’s having a difficult time today!
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🙂
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