Saw this today and now I’m reconsidering if Boost is right for me. I’m really hoping this is shitty boiler plate that was accidentally copied and over looked because that is some bullshit to say “unless we decide we want to use your personal data for whatever we want”.

I know “legitimate interest” is a phrase from the cookies law but there is no legitimate interest justification for this. My data is my data and I decide who has a legitimate interest in it so advertisers can fuck off, as can Boost if this the direction it’s going.


Edit to say this blew up. I didn’t realise I was kicking as big a hornet’s nest and haven’t read all the comments yet.

To be clear, what I don’t like about this and other provisions in the terms is the language and implications around data use. I’ve no problem with ads being shown - I want developers to get paid for the work they do and that makes it possible for users to have “free” access to software if they can’t afford to purchase.

I also want to add the response from Boost’s dev below to make sure it’s visible. You’ll see that it is boilerplate but required by Google and was present in Boost for reddit. I just hadn’t seen it because I purchased it immediately based on a recommendation. It doesn’t make me happy about it but does remove some doubts I was having about the direction Boost is heading.

I will be purchasing the app to support the dev because I do like Boost but I understand not everyone can afford everything so you’ll see some other suggestions in the comments below that don’t have any ads if you’re not happy with the free version and ads with their associated loss of data privacy.


Dev here.

The dialog and its content is not created by me, it is a standard solution from Google to comply with GDPR and other laws. More info here: https://support.google.com/admob/answer/10114014?hl=en

The consent dialog is also required by Google AdMob to show ads, and it is shown when the ad network is initialized.

When the app launches, first it checks for the remove ads purchase, and if it is not present, it will initialize the ads sdk. The ad network is not initialized if the remove ads purchase is detected.

Boost for Reddit was using the very same ad networks and consent dialog.

  • Rubén@lemmy.world
    shield
    M
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    725
    arrow-down
    18
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    Dev here.

    The dialog and its content is not created by me, it is a standard solution from Google to comply with GDPR and other laws. More info here: https://support.google.com/admob/answer/10114014?hl=en

    The consent dialog is also required by Google AdMob to show ads, and it is shown when the ad network is initialized.

    When the app launches, first it checks for the remove ads purchase, and if it is not present, it will initialize the ads sdk. The ad network is not initialized if the remove ads purchase is detected.

    Boost for Reddit was using the very same ad networks and consent dialog.

    • Polar@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      139
      arrow-down
      53
      ·
      1 year ago

      With the hate here, even after you explained, I am starting to think these FOSS heads are going to kill Lemmy.

      Instead of just using any other app, they are attacking you. What a great way to push any future devs away. Lemmy will continue to be a weird little FOSS niche if the FOSS users don’t stop soiling their diapers over nothing.

      • TurboDiesel@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        95
        arrow-down
        22
        ·
        1 year ago

        It’s honestly a huge turn off to Lemmy writ large. Look at what happened when Dawson released Sync.

        A few weeks ago someone posted to c/techsupport with an issue with their Office install. Every. Single. Comment. was "uSe LiBrEoFfIcE” or something to that effect, some going as far as to insult the OP for asking a tech support question in the tech support forum, because MiCrOsOfT bAaAaAd.

        I was the only one to offer a real solution. If I were that OP, I wouldn’t come back to Lemmy.

      • ArmokGoB@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        41
        arrow-down
        13
        ·
        1 year ago

        Lemmy is full of people that just want to scream about what they believe everywhere. The entire website has this coat of political speak that isn’t helping attract people that just want to talk about games or look at memes.

          • AustralianSimon@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            9
            arrow-down
            3
            ·
            1 year ago

            100% now that it’s easy to comment and make blogs etc so easy everyone now thinks their opinion matters because they can put it on the net.

        • OrangeJoe@lemm.ee
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          14
          arrow-down
          5
          ·
          1 year ago

          Yea, it is definitely a turn off. A lot of people on lemmy are not just passionate about what they believe, they are basically evangelical about it to the point that they seem like they need to not only convince everyone how right they are, but be assholes to anyone who disagrees. Whether it’s political, or about software, or whatever.

            • OrangeJoe@lemm.ee
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              2
              ·
              1 year ago

              True, reddit though does at least seem to have a lot more active niche communities you can go to with active moderation (sometimes too much though) so it’s easy to at least get plenty of content without having to deal with that. Lemmy, not so much.

      • Galactic@lemdro.id
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        10
        arrow-down
        9
        ·
        1 year ago

        These people don’t even know what regular humans want/need. They’re content to use half-baked software with 70% of the features, and feel like everyone should do the same.

        For all the ridiculous FOSS zealots, why are you even here? This software isn’t kosher to your religion.

    • blazeknave@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      55
      arrow-down
      5
      ·
      1 year ago

      Your time is worth a few bucks. Happily removed ads immediately after download. Thank you for your work brother! Good to be back!

    • Cihta@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      52
      arrow-down
      6
      ·
      1 year ago

      Well look at that, a simple logical explanation.

      Oh and thank you sir for your app. I went to paid version before i even loaded any content. I look forward to it’s future

      There are plenty of more justified directions we can go with pitchforks and torches for sure my friends.

    • Observer1199@lemmy.mlOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      39
      arrow-down
      4
      ·
      1 year ago

      Thank you for clarifying this.

      I also apologize if this post has hurt Boost - I didn’t think it would get a fraction of the visibility it did or even the reactions it did. I edited to add your explanation to make sure anybody who reads it going forward has the full story.

      You’ve done great work on Boost. I really enjoyed the Reddit version and look forward to seeing what you do with it, so thank you.

      • DogMuffins@discuss.tchncs.de
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        arrow-down
        9
        ·
        1 year ago

        It doesn’t really explain anything… it says “I’ve chosen this shitty intrusive ad platform with which to exploit you”

        • Fallenwout@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          4
          ·
          edit-2
          1 year ago

          He choose the google admob platform for an android app in the Google playstore. How default do you want him to choose? At least now you know no other datascam platform uses your data, if you have an android phone, this admob disclaimer is useless because Google already now.

    • barsoap@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      30
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      When the app launches, first it checks for the remove ads purchase, and if it is not present, it will initialize the ads sdk.

      UX-wise you might want to add a screen full of blurb before initialising the sdk. “The free version is ad-supported, google might ask you for tracking permissions” kind of thing.

    • emax_gomax@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      14
      ·
      1 year ago

      I know you’ll probably get flooded with a stream of responses so sorry to add to them but you’ve done a fantastic job implementing a boost replacement for the lemmy environment and I’m happy to support that by buying the ad free version. I’d also suggest opening some sort of channel for later contributions but I look forward to see how boost for lemmy grows. Thank you for all the great work.

    • Gnome@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      9
      ·
      1 year ago

      thanks for the logical explanation and thanks especially for all of the hard work you put into bringing Boost for Lemmy to us! downloading it made my day.

    • Craftkorb@feddit.de
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      Hello, European here. Your explanation doesn’t fix anything, it’s still on you to ensure that your app complies with the GDPR - of a component you use doesn’t you can’t use it. You can complain to your ad network that their sdk sucks.

    • odama626@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      6
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      I just got boost installed and I don’t want to accept the privacy policy but I will happily pay to use the app, is that possible?

    • TheDonkerZ@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      11
      arrow-down
      8
      ·
      1 year ago

      Clearly you are trying not to make a big deal about it, and I respect that, but maybe make a pinned post on BoostForLemmy? Make sure you’re not actively trying to fleece people?

    • Gamey@feddit.de
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      arrow-down
      5
      ·
      1 year ago

      I am happy with Infinity now and I think it’s great that the app removes trackers for paying customers (many apps and websites don’t do that) and I don’t know a way to solve the situation properly myself but people who want privacy often don’t use Google Play and in that case you can’t actually remove trackers.

    • DogMuffins@discuss.tchncs.de
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      20
      ·
      1 year ago

      How does it make any difference that it’s required by a third party? That doesn’t really change anything.

    • spitfire@infosec.pub
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      9
      arrow-down
      24
      ·
      1 year ago

      While I absolutely respect your response, I don’t see the issue being addressed. You can easily include a caveat that mentions this, but more importantly be transparent with the data .

          • boyi@lemmy.sdf.org
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            25
            arrow-down
            4
            ·
            1 year ago

            You forgot article 10.

            Art. 10. Controller’s legitimate interest can only be grounds for processing personal data for legitimate purposes, based on particular situations, which include but are not limited to:

            I – support and promotion of the controller’s activity; and

            II – protection of data subject’s regular exercise of her/his rights or provision of services that benefit her/him, subject to her/his legitimate expectations and fundamental rights and freedoms, in accordance with this Law.

            §1 When processing is based on the controller’s legitimate interest, only the personal data which are strictly necessary for the intended purpose may be processed.

            §2 The controller shall adopt measures to ensure transparency of data processing based on her/his legitimate interests.

            §3 The national authority may request of the controller a data protection impact assessment, when processing is based on her/his legitimate interest, being observed commercial and industrial secrecy.

      • Metamist@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        16
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        I’m sorry, but I’m having a hard time seeing Lemmy Lawyers having better knowledge of GDPR laws than Google, which is the ones showing the consent screen. As others have pointed out, if you don’t want your data tracked by Google (which is mostly too late anyway for majority of people), just buy the app. The dev could make the option to pay a bit clearer, but I’m sure people would complain that a pay screen is shoved in their face instead. Can’t please everyone!

        • Gabu@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          arrow-down
          9
          ·
          1 year ago

          If you don’t want your data tracked by Google (which is mostly too late anyway for majority of people), just buy the app.

          The dev should block all app functionality and tracking if no consent is given. Anything else is in violation of the LGPD and GDPR

          better knowledge of GDPR laws than Google

          You’re joking, right? Big companies try to sneak shit by all the time, because that’s just “the cost of doing business” when caught. That’s why the EU and serious consumer-protecting countries are increasing fines. Google had a whole disinformation campaign against the GDPR.

          I’m sorry, but I’m having a hard time seeing Lemmy Lawyers […]

          I’m assuming you’re capable of reading. Both laws are publicly available for you to check.

          • Metamist@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            edit-2
            1 year ago

            I totally agree with your first point! Not giving consent shouldn’t be treated as “okay, but we’ll still do it” scenario.

            Second and third, I’m not saying I’m trusting Google, I’m saying I’m trusting the EU and all the auditors that target Google (which, by the way, includes us Lemmy Lawyers), meaning the likelihood nowadays that Google isn’t compliant to GDPR, in my view, is next to zero. Way more than if it was some custom consent screen by some arbitrary company. If Google is “sneaking something in” it’s because the GDPR law allowed it via loopholes or different interpretation.

            Also, watch your tone, no need to get aggressive. I merely pointed out that Google has more knowledge of GDPR laws than people on Lemmy. People on Lemmy, me included, has varied interpretations of GDPR laws (as is clearly demonstrated in the other sibling replies to my original comment, where they both interpreted it differently in separate clauses), since most are not educated lawyers. Law is all about interpretation, not just reading. So “assuming you’re capable of reading” is quite irrelevant.

  • Meho_Nohome@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    321
    arrow-down
    22
    ·
    1 year ago

    Wife : “Promise you won’t have sex with my sister”.

    Husband : " I won’t have sex with your sister under any circumstances, (quiet part); unless I have a legitimate interest in doing so."

    • drolex@sopuli.xyz
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      116
      arrow-down
      13
      ·
      1 year ago

      Hi could you give me your name, address, social security number, browser history, sickness history, political affiliation, sexual orientation, pay grade please 🥺

      I have a legitimate interest! It’s identity theft

      • jj4211@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        9
        ·
        1 year ago

        Ok, that is informative. Without that specific context, that message is utterly empty and useless.

        Of course, it still feels weird, that “legitimate interest” seems a subjective term and maybe they could have found some better phrasing to reflect this sentiment…

        • Gestrid@lemmy.ca
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          6
          ·
          1 year ago

          From the dev has said, it sounds like it’s Google’s language, not his. So he probably doesn’t have any control over the phrasing.

          • jj4211@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            3
            ·
            1 year ago

            Right, I was thinking not the developer, not the ad network, but all the way back to the wording of GDPR.

            In fact, it feels like an ad network cannot have a “legitimate interest” in personal information of someone who opts out. If they count targeted advertising without consent as “legitimate interest”, seems like GPDR is significantly less useful.

    • Carighan Maconar@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      42
      arrow-down
      4
      ·
      1 year ago

      Well the “loophole” exists for a reason.

      For example my company requires the position and some identifier of people to do what people use our system for (tracking logistics units, and there is an option to do that via a mobile app for smallest clients not owning dedicated hardware). That’s what legitimate interest is about. Or well, is supposed to be about. Some data processing is the point of some applications, and hence they would naturally not be usable without processing that personal data.

      • GiantFloppyCock@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        21
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        1 year ago

        True, should have clarified - it’s something that is abused and treated as a loophole by shitty companies.

      • stella@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        wouldnt that fall under “essential cookies/data” or something like that? which is usually presented separately from “legitimate interest” in these forms and rightfully cant be turned off

    • Graz@feddit.de
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      9
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      It isn’t. Just as declaring yourself a sovereign citizen isn’t a loophole for whatever idiots claim it’s a loophole for, declaring illegitimate use legitimate isn’t a loophole.

      Actual examples for legitimate use: Storing someone’s address if he wants to send you something, using someone’s IP-address to serve him data while he’s on your site… If it’s necessary it’s legitimate.

      Deutsche Bahn is being sued right now just because of this, here’s the initiative that is suing them: https://digitalcourage.de/

      Send a few bucks their way instead of spreading false information on the Internet.

      • GiantFloppyCock@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        1 year ago

        What if I determine that selling user data is necessary to my business? Then it falls under legitimate interest, right? I guess what I’m asking is how using the legitimate interest label is any different?

    • Rubén@lemmy.worldM
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      181
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      The consent dialog is required by Google AdMob to show ads, and it is shown when the ad network is initialized.

      When the app launches, first it checks for the remove ads purchase, and if it is not present, it will initialize the ads sdk. The ad network is not initialized if the remove ads purchase is detected.

  • SnowdenHeroOfOurTime@unilem.org
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    132
    arrow-down
    33
    ·
    1 year ago

    I’m kind of confused how this is so controversial or unexpected. You’re using commercial software for free, ad support should be expected. It definitely sounded like and was confirmed to be out of the dev’s hands, it’s Google’s ad platform. If you can spend $3.50 USD to remove ads it’s not a concern.

    I love free software but people also need to feed their families. This guy chose software as a way to do that. Being opposed to ads is great but either cough up the 3.50 for an app you’ll likely use thousands of hours or don’t. Don’t shame the guy for allowing it to also be used “free” with ads.

    • blazeknave@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      35
      arrow-down
      10
      ·
      1 year ago

      Exactly. How much fuckin time have you used the app and can’t send the dude $3.50 ONCE to pay his bills?

      • BoofStroke@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        18
        arrow-down
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

        I block ads on my network already, and still paid for it. Ruben has a great product here and a one time purchase is absolutely a proper way to get paid.

    • Lemonparty@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      22
      arrow-down
      3
      ·
      1 year ago

      Just a friendly reminder that if you’d like to pay more than 3.50 you can also do that! There’s a donation tool built in. So if you like the app and want to support more, or again in the future you have that option.

      • Polar@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        20
        arrow-down
        4
        ·
        1 year ago

        and another reminder that other apps exist. Don’t get your panties in a bunch because a developer thinks his time is worth something, rightly so.

        You hate Boost? Download something else. Personally I prefer an app by a developer who has many years experience making a Reddit app. The free and FOSS apps are fine, but they are all missing stuff and rough around the edges.

        Then again, Lemmy attacks anyone who says they like, or require windows, and calls them names on how they should use Linux, despite drivers/programs they rely on not being available on Linux. Seems like it’s hard for the FOSS community to not be toxic.

        • EvolvedTurtle@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          1 year ago

          I’m personally in the boat of I believe everyone should use as much FOSS as they can

          But at the same some I’m not going to force it onto people that’s a decision I made for myself.

          And it makes even less sense when the non open source app comes from a single seemingly good intentioned dude. Because of that I’ve decided to use his software.

          Be mad at the big company’s not the small indie devs and also not at the consumer

          People need what people need and it’s their choice what the do and don’t use

          I worry that this is getting quite toxic and I think people need to work on some empathy every now and then

      • nyctre@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        54
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        1 year ago

        "The consent dialog is required by Google AdMob to show ads, and it is shown when the ad network is initialized.

        When the app launches, first it checks for the remove ads purchase, and if it is not present, it will initialize the ads sdk. The ad network is not initialized if the remove ads purchase is detected."

        So according to the dev, it does stop the tracking. Or am I misunderstanding it?

      • SnowdenHeroOfOurTime@unilem.org
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        36
        arrow-down
        9
        ·
        1 year ago

        And unless you: have access to the source code, are fluent in the programming languages used to build it, AND have time to review it all, you’ll never know if an app does that.

        Conforming to the Play store does not make the dev shady imo. If that’s your stance you probably should stick mainly to F-Droid apps.

    • ext23@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      Late to this thread but anyway.

      I just got the notification that Boost for Lemmy was available and immediately installed after kind of forgetting about Lemmy.

      Boost is such a quality app that it makes me want to use Lemmy again, and I happily paid for the app as soon as I could. People have such a weird thing about mobile apps when you consider the size of the mobile game market.

    • Reddfugee42@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      19
      arrow-down
      24
      ·
      1 year ago

      The verbiage is shitty and sideways. Just be straightforward and say that by using the software you consent to the agreement, not that if you disagree, we’ll only use it if we really think about it and feel like it or some shit like that. It’s disingenuous.

    • Gabu@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      11
      arrow-down
      20
      ·
      1 year ago

      The point of issue isn’t in using ads, but on hiding the fact your consent means jack shit. How are you people having trouble understanding something this obvious?

        • Gabu@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          arrow-down
          15
          ·
          1 year ago

          He better find a choice, then, because that shit won’t fly wherever strong legal protections for data privacy exist.

  • amanneedsamaid@sopuli.xyz
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    145
    arrow-down
    48
    ·
    1 year ago

    Not being FOSS disqualifies any lemmy client for me, I dont want a client that undermines what I like about the platform.

      • v_krishna@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        11
        arrow-down
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

        I’ve seen the jerboa dev community grow tremendously and the app improve by leaps and bounds too! Nowadays it basically exceeds my old RIF experience in every way except for the traffic level on lemmy vs reddit.

        • iegod@lemm.ee
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          9
          arrow-down
          14
          ·
          1 year ago

          Why does rif keep ggetting cited as some kind of bastion of app development. Rif was shit compared to the alternatives.

          • Derin@lemmy.beru.co
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            20
            arrow-down
            6
            ·
            1 year ago

            I significantly preferred Rif to the alternatives.

            It’s almost like people who aren’t you exist and are allowed to have their own opinions. Crazy, right?

      • amanneedsamaid@sopuli.xyz
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        8
        arrow-down
        3
        ·
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        If you mean Lemmy: Lemmy is an open source and decentralized alternative to Reddit.

        If you mean /c/boost, it gets federated to my instance.

  • El Barto@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    104
    arrow-down
    10
    ·
    1 year ago

    Funny I’m seeing this after me googling what legitimate interest meant.

    A user should be able to turn off legitimate interest cookies.

    I also considered checking out Boost, but this is definitely a deal-breaker to me.

    • assassin_aragorn@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      6
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      They need to be harsher on companies invoking legitimate interest. It should be impossible for a user to use a service/product if they deny the information that falls under a legitimate interest – because by definition, the service/product needs that information to work. Like if I’m scheduling a delivery to my place, my address is a legitimate interest because they can’t deliver it otherwise.

      There just needs to be a crackdown on what’s being claimed. If a user can turn off “legitimate interest” cookies and tracking, and they can still use the website just fine, those cookies and tracking were not legitimate interests.

      • El Barto@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        I don’t think it’s that cut and dry. A cookie that registers your address may have your address in your computer, and the access it just to autofill the shipping form. No address is being stored or tracked on their end. That would be a legitimate “legitimate interest” cookie. If you deny the use of such cookies, then the website will simply ask you to fill out your address every time. The site can still function in this case.

        Don’t get me wrong - I hate legitimate interest cookie abuse, but I just wanted to clarify that point about “if rejected, then legitimate interest cookies would break the site, and if they don’t then they’re tracking you!”

        • Neshura@bookwormstory.social
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          tbf I think it’s in Google’s best interest to do as little legitimate interest fuckery as possible. If they stretch the use of that clause too far the EU will just banhammer the new practice again with stricter terms and higher fines.

            • Neshura@bookwormstory.social
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              2
              arrow-down
              1
              ·
              1 year ago

              Sounds paradoxical but long term they get more value out of just barely overstepping bounds than by, for the brief period until regulation catches up, massively overstepping.

              Doesn’t mean they’ll do that, I fully expect them to abuse the ever living shit out of it, if mega corpos had a brain for long term planning they wouldn’t be caught in this banner mess in the first place

    • Observer1199@lemmy.mlOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      I feel a big part of my concern is addressed by the dev’s explanation and I now know it’s a problem with Google’s ad network with its terms and conditions though they’re all pretty similar in that regard unfortunately. I feel comfortable enough purchasing the app now which removes the rest of my concern because that removes any tracking associated with ads in the free version.

      • El Barto@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        1 year ago

        Sure, but I’ve never used Boost before. How can I test it without buying it? I can’t. Google will track me and I’ll have no choice.

  • Graz@feddit.de
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    102
    arrow-down
    10
    ·
    1 year ago

    Tis is not not ok, actually. I’m a software dev for a European company. I’m briefed by our lawyers.

    “Legitimate use” isn’t just a phrase from cookie law, it has a very specific meaning.

    What’s legitimate use? Well, any data I necessarily have to store for our business relation I can store. For as long as I need it. For example: You want me to send you something? Gonna need to store your address. After I sent the package I don’t have any need for your address any more so I’d need your explicit consent to store it longer.

    Another example for what is considered personal data: IP addresses. Which I store for as long as you watch my site, so that would be another example for a legitimate reason to store personal data.

    Still I don’t get why they display this banner. To my knowledge it’s not necessary to inform the user about storage for legitimate reasons.

    All that said, there’s plenty of examples of companies illegitimately storing personal data, google is a good example they were sued only yesterday (fitbit)

    • forensic_potato@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      80
      arrow-down
      26
      ·
      1 year ago

      I honestly can’t understand why in a world of open source alternatives, one would be OK with an option that shows you ads in exchange for spying on you

      • OskarAxolotl@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        76
        arrow-down
        22
        ·
        1 year ago

        I don’t know any open source client that is even remotely as nice to use as Boost. Also, it’s not like the developer is actively spying on you, that’s just the default AdMob popup Google is now forced to show (They simply didn’t ask for any kind of consent in the past).

        Anyway, I simply paid a few bucks for ad-free Boost.

          • Polar@lemmy.ca
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            2
            arrow-down
            7
            ·
            1 year ago

            The dev that stole the name and only changed it when enough people got mad at him for essentially impersonating the original dev? Sounds like a deal!

            • TheOneCurly@lemmy.theonecurly.page
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              4
              arrow-down
              3
              ·
              1 year ago

              open source client that is even remotely as nice to use as Boost

              I replied with a suggestion that met all the criteria… No need to be a jerk to me about it.

              • Polar@lemmy.ca
                link
                fedilink
                English
                arrow-up
                2
                arrow-down
                5
                ·
                1 year ago

                Not a jerk. Just making sure we have the same dev? because personally, I don’t support garbage behaviour like that.

        • Rodeo@lemmy.ca
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          29
          arrow-down
          37
          ·
          1 year ago

          The point stands. Why are you willing to sell your data for a minor convenience like a slightly better UI for social media app.

          Of all the fucking things you sell your data for, you’re doing it for the UI of a social media. Fucking UI of fucking social media, that’s the convenience you’re willing to sell your data for?

          See personally I think I’m a lot more valuable than that.

          • Sotuanduso@lemm.ee
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            29
            arrow-down
            4
            ·
            1 year ago

            Not everyone shares your values and priorities, and that’s okay a lot of times.

          • Madbrad200@sh.itjust.works
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            42
            arrow-down
            18
            ·
            1 year ago

            Foss fanatics being completely out of touch with how normal people interact with the internet will never not be funny to me.

            99.9% of people do not give a shit. They want a good experience. That’s it.

            I do what I can to block trackers on my end but if your app can’t give me the experience I want then I’m not using it.

            • Rodeo@lemmy.ca
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              3
              arrow-down
              2
              ·
              1 year ago

              They want a good experience. That’s it.

              That’s exactly what I’m saying. They’re so obsessed with tiny conveniences that they’re willing to sell themselves over where the buttons are on the screen.

              I understand perfectly how normal people interact with the internet, and I’m calling them stupid for it.

            • dx1@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              8
              arrow-down
              12
              ·
              1 year ago

              Not “out of touch” with how “normal people” don’t care about their right to privacy being trampled. Critical of it.

            • jack@monero.town
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              10
              arrow-down
              21
              ·
              1 year ago

              The thing is, the experience is still worse. Even when you forget about trackers. Proprietary software is meant to best benefit the developer, not the user. So it is only a matter of time until you are fed up with it. See recent examples like Unity, Reddit, Twitter, Plex,… It all goes to shit. So why not take the convenient way and choose user-respecting software from the start?

          • mean_bean279@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            35
            arrow-down
            12
            ·
            1 year ago

            It’s like you only read the first sentence of their response and ignored the rest.

            Boost has to show the google ads consent and TOS. It only shows up if it downloads the google ads SDK after checking to see if you purchased ad free. So if you purchased ad free version you wouldn’t see this TOS since you didn’t get the Google Ads SDK.

            You are most definitely not more valuable than the data collection they can do. Do not kid yourself.

            • limeaide@lemmy.ml
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              8
              arrow-down
              10
              ·
              1 year ago

              I think their point was that they value/respect themselves enough to not sell their information for better UI

              • bjorney@lemmy.ca
                link
                fedilink
                English
                arrow-up
                8
                arrow-down
                2
                ·
                1 year ago

                But not enough to spend a few bucks on the ad-free version of the app

                • stepanzak@iusearchlinux.fyi
                  link
                  fedilink
                  English
                  arrow-up
                  6
                  arrow-down
                  4
                  ·
                  1 year ago

                  If I personally wanted to spend money, I would donate to people who make open-source Lemmy clients free for everyone without spying on non-paying users instead of paying for this.

              • mean_bean279@lemmy.world
                link
                fedilink
                English
                arrow-up
                19
                arrow-down
                4
                ·
                1 year ago

                I need you to understand that me saying “Boost is pulling a Google ads SDK and that’s their terms of service” isn’t me saying it’s ok. Me saying “you’re not more valuable than the data” is also not me saying it’s ok. Both of those things can be true while it’s still not ok. The world isn’t black and white. The difference here is knowing who, what and why to be mad/angery/upset at something. Otherwise you just have misdirected anger. The original comment called out boost as being a data predator (which I don’t use Boost for the record). I simply pointed to how the app and systems are setup and how the prompt shown isn’t Boost’s doing, it’s part of an SDK that boost uses as they’re injecting ads into the free app. They have to show whatever TOS the ad injector/SDK uses.

          • stealthnerd@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            35
            arrow-down
            18
            ·
            1 year ago

            Look I love FOSS, but this mentality that using anything except for FOSS is dumb. An incredible amount of time, money, and effort goes into building an app like Boost and the developer has every right to keep it closed source and charge for it and you have every right not to use it.

            Many people are more than willing to pay for great software and others are happy to give up some privacy to get it for free. That’s their choice.

            • Ilgaz@lemm.ee
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              1
              ·
              1 year ago

              I use like 95% FOSS (except DRM crap), trying to contribute much as possible and I know a lot of people/projects. The question should be asked is if these fanatics donated a cent to projects /services they use?

            • jack@monero.town
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              6
              arrow-down
              27
              ·
              1 year ago

              Fuck boost, it’s garbage and wasted time for everyone as long as it’s closed source

          • idiomaddict@feddit.de
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            11
            arrow-down
            15
            ·
            edit-2
            1 year ago

            Just for you, I’m accepting all cookies today 😉

            Edit: tomorrow too 😍

      • gelberhut@lemdro.id
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        29
        arrow-down
        8
        ·
        1 year ago

        One can select a proprietary solution when it provides better user experience.

        And you can purchase an application if you do not like and based model.

          • gelberhut@lemdro.id
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            24
            arrow-down
            7
            ·
            1 year ago

            Like highlighting new comments in the thread and a GUI which is more pleasurable to use. If you see nothing beneficial for you in a non-foss app, you do not need to consider it.

            • jack@monero.town
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              5
              arrow-down
              22
              ·
              1 year ago

              When people like to eat poisoned food that you know will kill them, but they won’t listen to you and eat it anyway cuz it’s so damn tasty, then those people must be extremely stupid, right?

                • idiomaddict@feddit.de
                  link
                  fedilink
                  English
                  arrow-up
                  9
                  ·
                  1 year ago

                  And even then, is it fair to say that everyone who’s tasted alcohol, spicy food, or garlic is stupid?

      • Polar@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        15
        arrow-down
        5
        ·
        1 year ago

        Competent dev?

        Any of the FOSS apps, that have had a head start + the “power” of people contributing to it, are all SO far behind Boost when it comes to features and stability.

      • candybrie@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        40
        arrow-down
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

        A large chunk of people are on lemmy because reddit wouldn’t let them use the nice UI of their favorite app. So wanting to use the nice UI of their favorite app, even if it’s closed source, is entirely the point of them being here.

  • ClarkDoom@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    156
    arrow-down
    68
    ·
    1 year ago

    Knee jerk responses like this are why Lemmy seems doomed to stagnate and die. And this is coming from someone who used to be all in. Utterly tired of the mob of goofs that think everything should be developed for free and anyone that tries to make a legitimate living in this space is an evil bastard.

  • 𝕯𝖎𝖕𝖘𝖍𝖎𝖙@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    82
    arrow-down
    7
    ·
    1 year ago

    Dev here.

    Ads don’t need user data.

    Programmatic ads need user data.

    There are more ad types than programmatic.

    Programmatic ads pay the highest.

    I don’t think it’s right to blame GDPR on this.

  • AlDente@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    72
    arrow-down
    6
    ·
    1 year ago

    Voyager and Jerboa are both good options if this bothers you. I didn’t have to agree to any permissions when I installed both as no data is collected. No ads too!