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Google can now read your WhatsApp messages

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467 points bundie | 2 comments | 08 Jul 25 16:11 UTC | HN request time: 0.482s | source
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bix6 ◴[08 Jul 25 16:59 UTC] No.44501849[source]▶
These big tech companies are so frustrating. Why does every single aspect of our digital lives need to be monitored? It’s like whack a mole trying to get the most basic of privacy.
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Workaccount2 ◴[08 Jul 25 17:45 UTC] No.44502307[source]▶
Because people collectively vote for the ad model over the subscription model.
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TrackerFF ◴[08 Jul 25 18:47 UTC] No.44502843[source]▶
As we have all learned, ad and subscription models aren't mutually exclusive. You can still get ads while paying for a subscription.

In fact, I don't believe the ad model would have gone away if everyone started paying for a subscription. The bottom tier would still be filled with ads.

Ideally, the market would solve this. The companies that are pushing annoying would lose customers to the companies that don't. But since we don't live in a ideal world, I honestly think regulations would be the only way. Something like "If a customer pays for subscription in any way, you can't show ads" - and then let the companies put a realistic price to their subscription tiers, which makes it worthwhile for them.

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1. Workaccount2 ◴[08 Jul 25 19:25 UTC] No.44503184[source]▶
Ad subsidized subscriptions are cheaper.

I don't see what people find so grating about having a ad-load/cost spectrum. Maybe it's just confusion about the billing model.

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2. 9dev ◴[08 Jul 25 21:09 UTC] No.44504104[source]▶
They are cheaper until they aren’t. The neat thing about a plan that removes all ads is that you can just add the ads again later and introduce yet another, even more expensive plan that removes the ads again. Such fun! Much profit!