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Today Google bricked my Chromebook by force-installing a hidden extension

(cloudisland.nz)
237 points robin_reala | 3 comments | 29 Mar 25 09:35 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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hilbert42 ◴[29 Mar 25 10:22 UTC] No.43514294[source]▶
As tossandthrow says, return it as being defect. Reckon this should apply anywhere where warranty applies.

If what you say is correct then the device is (a) not fit for purpose and (b) it's possible you may be able to claim damages on the basis that the manufacturer has changed its modus operandi without your permission or consent and it's now incompatible with the way you work, etc., etc.

If Google reckons it had the right to alter your device because you agreed to its EULA, then it seems you'd still have a case on grounds that it no longer functions as it should.

There are only two things that will stop these bastards—them realizing such behavior is draining money from their hip pockets and proper consumer and privacy legislation.

But forget the latter, democracy is stuffed, and Big Tech has it by the balls anyway.

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_heimdall ◴[29 Mar 25 11:57 UTC] No.43514801[source]▶
> proper consumer and privacy legislation.

> But forget the latter, democracy is stuffed

What does consumer and privacy legislation have to do with democracy?

They may both be important, but I see no connection between the two other than the fact that those democratically elected would be the ones making the legislation (and any legislation).

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1. hilbert42 ◴[29 Mar 25 16:31 UTC] No.43516683[source]▶
Democracy doesn't work as it should when Big Tech and Big Business pull the strings to get what they want.

When entities other than ordinary citizens get their way—as they do—then citizens are disadvantaged. That ought to be pretty damn obvious, if not then take a look at the world around you.

For starters, examine the myriad of legislation that's beneficial to ordinary citizens that has been blocked or neutered by Big Tech/Business. Citizens may have the vote but they don't hold the power.

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2. _heimdall ◴[30 Mar 25 04:00 UTC] No.43521219[source]▶
Whether it worked under a Democratic system depends on whether the legislation you are concerned with was passed legally.

Democracy would have worked perfectly fine if democratically elected officials made decisions and passed legislation that they were legally allowed to pass. We may disagree with what what passed, bit that's a concern of the outcome rather than the process in which those people were elected.

I very much agree with you with regards to the problems of big tech, big business, and lobbying in general. They are technically operating within the laws created by democratically elected officials, though. That's the problem.

We need a smaller government with less reach and fewer powers. We don't need to claim that those who were democratically elected somehow escaped democracy while working within the bounds of the rules they were given, we need to limit the rules.

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3. hilbert42 ◴[30 Mar 25 06:19 UTC] No.43521803[source]▶
"They are technically operating within the laws created by democratically elected officials, though."

Two issues: first, they may be technically operating within the law but if the legislation which enacted the law was achieved by processes/means that were biased/not truly democratic (i.e.: ones that benefit them) then citizens are disadvantaged. Unequal representation is undemocratic.

Second, laws may be on the books but if the State does not prosecute when they are violated then it makes a mockery of the law. Big Tech/Business has used political power and influence to stop the State prosecuting. For example, Sherman antitrust (and its successors) have been on the books since the 1890s and the State has done essentially nothing to reign in monopolistic practices of these companies.

That's just for starters. By any objective measure democracy in the US is essentially non functional. One only has to look at the polarized political divide which is widening further by the day to see that.