keverets @keverets@librem.one

GM will be banned from selling driver behavioral data and geolocation. Good, but all automakers need privacy regulation. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/01/ftcs-ban-gm-and-onstar-selling-driver-behavior-good-first-step

As someone who is totally blind, the Fediverse is the only place where I have ever been able to follow people such as photographers, artists, or even those who post pictures of their cats or the food they ate. The reason is that most of them use alt text. They take the time to describe the images that my screen reader can't recognise. Some write the descriptions themselves, and others use tools such as altbot. Some worry that their descriptions aren't good enough, especially when they are new at this. Let me assure you, not only are they good enough, they are extremely appreciated! If the rest of the world thought as you did, it would be a much better place. Don't hesitate to ask if you're unsure of something, but never think that we don't notice your effort.

#appreciation #accessibility #altbot #alttext #blind #blindness #fediverse #gratitude #images #inclusivity #peoplewhocare #pictures #technology

Someone asked ChapGPt to come up with 10 Commandments for the modern world. I could be guided by these principles. Perhaps a new religion is in order?

I remember when Google embedding unit conversions in search was a cute little convenience. And, uh, actually useful and accurate. This is just so embarrassing for a once-great tool.

I made myself an Emotional Support Dumpster Fire. #crochet @c3dumpsterfire

Also, I recommend cancelling your subscription. Not referring to any particular subscription here. Just, if you have a subscription, consider cancelling it

To understand crypto “valuations”, take the example of MollyCoin. If I conjure a billion MOLLY tokens out of thin air and sell one for $1, I’ve just created a “billion dollar” cryptocurrency.

#crypto #cryptocurrency

How sleeping pills interfere with the brain’s internal cleaning mechanism
A specialized system sends pulses of pressure through the fluids in our brain.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/01/how-sleeping-pills-interfere-with-the-brains-internal-cleaning-mechanism/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Bradley and @karen published their thoughts about the TikTok ban yesterday:

"Users (and our government) should instead insist that, to operate in the USA, that ByteDance respect the software rights and freedoms of their users by releasing both the server and App components of the software under a “free and open source” (FOSS) license.

https://sfconservancy.org/blog/2025/jan/18/usa-should-require-bytedance-to-open-source-tiktok/

Sunset in space viewed from the International Space Station.

Credit: NASA Johnson

Meta tracks your activity across millions of websites and apps, regardless of whether you use its platforms, and profits from that data through targeted ads. If you want to limit Meta’s ability to harvest and profit from your personal data, here’s what you need to know. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/01/mad-meta-dont-let-them-collect-and-monetize-your-personal-data

Update on that whole “let’s privatize space” thing:

If the timelines of the development of the Saturn V rocket and the development of SpaceX’s Starship were compared side-by-side from the same starting point, you’d notice that Saturn V had been developed, had successfully completed a dozen flights, took a bunch of guys safely to the moon, put a space station in orbit, and had been retired at the point where Starship had just experienced its 4th failed test flight without ever carrying people.

Introducing 🍵 Maptcha 🗺️
the #opensource CAPTCHA that improves #OpenStreetMap !

Maptcha is at its alpha stage, and we are testing it on potential users. To take part in the test, please follow this link:
https://maptcha.crown-shy.com

You have ~one week time to take part and give us some feedback.
We’ll present the results at #fosdem2025 in the Geospatial devroom

with @grischard @soporificoctopus
#OSM #fosdem

To add context to Meta blocking Pixelfed mentions, I should remind everyone that Youtube silently hides comments containing "OpenStreetMap". I think @harry_wood found that out a few years ago.

https://en.osm.town/@mastodonmigration@mastodon.online/113819524597166451

https://x.com/harry_wood/status/1451201614170116102

Ordered an MNT Reform Next https://www.crowdsupply.com/mnt/mnt-reform-next

The world really needs an open hardware laptop that can be repaired, understood, and has an actual community future. I think MNT's Reform Next is the best shot at that we've got. I'm excited about it!

A good ²³⁸Umbrella policy should cover it.
https://xkcd.com/3037/

If you have enough money that call it “skirting regulations” and not “breaking the law”.

https://www.propublica.org/article/elon-musk-boring-company-las-vegas-loop-oversight

Real-time bidding, which powers nearly every ad you see online, might be the most privacy-invasive surveillance system that you’ve never heard of. Learn how it works and how to protect yourself. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/01/online-behavioral-ads-fuel-surveillance-industry-heres-how