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0 pointstristor3y ago0 comments

People keep failing to understand that if you can't make your device do something that is illegal, it's not /your/ device. It's that simple. Politically crafted laws are not physical laws of the universe, they not only can be violated, they often /should/ be violated. Laws are not a moral imperative. This particular law (emergency alerts) might not be an issue, but the fact that your device will follow the government's mandate over the user's choice is all we really need to know about that device.

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5 comments · 3 top-level

iforgotpassword3y ago· 2 in thread

Just root the device, then you can disable it. And don't give me any of this "it should be possible to do this without rooting the phone"

Smartphones are already locked down in a million other ways compared to eg a desktop Linux install. Why is this different?

josephcsible3y ago

> Smartphones are already locked down in a million other ways compared to eg a desktop Linux install. Why is this different?

It's not, but it's bad that smartphones are locked down like that, so we should be pushing back on it at every opportunity.

iforgotpassword3y ago

I'm with you there and in general, it just feels like a rather minor point even just compared to the excessive tracking Apple and Google do. I'm just thinking of the recent news where it was discovered iphones still send tracking data home even if disabled in the settings. That's way more concerning to me at least.

95014_refugee3y ago

> all we really need to know about that device.

Namely, that it's created by a party / parties also subject to (and abiding by) these laws?

I'm not sure what you plan to do with this information; certainly a law-abiding supplier is more likely to remain in business, so perhaps it's indicative of a better chance of receiving long-term support for the device...

mschuster913y ago

It's not the default of the device though.

We need to get rid of those in power who decide on things they have no fucking clue about it. The easiest way to do that is to not just go vote, but educate everyone else about who is running and why they are/are not a good choice. The harder way is also (at least for the US folks) showing up and engaging at primary votes and holding the primary candidates accountable, which takes a lot more effort but has the advantage that your vote is amplified in its effects.

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