ThrowdoBaggins's recent activity
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Comment on Lawsuit alleges that WhatsApp has no end-to-end encryption in ~tech
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Comment on Lawsuit alleges that WhatsApp has no end-to-end encryption in ~tech
ThrowdoBaggins (edited )Link ParentI think I can weigh in here with my own situation, and at least partially explain the difference between WhatsApp’s help articles and people’s actual lived experiences here. Two years ago, my...I think I can weigh in here with my own situation, and at least partially explain the difference between WhatsApp’s help articles and people’s actual lived experiences here.
Two years ago, my iPhone stopped working because of water getting inside (despite being IP67 rated). Australia has very strong consumer protections, so I was able to walk into an Apple retailer, explain that my phone stopped working and was new enough to still be under warranty etc, and they handed me a new one. Important to note here that my old phone was dead and gone before they handed me the new one, so phone-to-phone transfer was not possible. My current phone has all the chats that my previous phones have had, so despite the unusable phone, I still have continuity and history.
In trying to piece together my own experience with what you’ve said here, I took a look at my settings within WhatsApp to see how I can have continuity despite claims of E2EE. I found a setting buried a few layers deep which backs up my message history to iCloud (Settings > Chats > Chat backup). This section includes frequency (daily/weekly/monthly) and a toggle for whether to also back up videos, and interestingly also a toggle for whether turn on E2EE for this back up or not. My settings when I checked were “monthly backup, without video, without E2EE”
I’ve stayed in the Apple ecosystem for a very long time now, so I can’t tell you if this was the default for a new user downloading WhatsApp for the first time or if it’s something I chose to do (or if it’s one of those nag settings that keeps telling you to “do X or be at risk of problems!” that companies love to use these days) but at the very least, this can explain why some* users have the experience of zero-effort continuity between phones.
*edited to add in “some”
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Comment on Disrupting the world's largest residential proxy network in ~tech
ThrowdoBaggins LinkMaybe I’m way too cynical but I wonder if disrupting these kinds of networks will have any impact on LLM scrapers and crawlers? My memory is imperfect but I feel like I remember conversations on...Maybe I’m way too cynical but I wonder if disrupting these kinds of networks will have any impact on LLM scrapers and crawlers? My memory is imperfect but I feel like I remember conversations on Tildes in the past year talking about how there was little to no pattern in IP addresses that were used to crawl/scrape websites, which is why some of the “tarpit” traps were developed?
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Comment on Apple says Patreon creators must switch to subscription billing in ~tech
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentI think this is an incredibly simplistic view of things, and it gives me an impression of “there are no morals, only laws and rules, so if you have the power and influence to enforce unfair rules...If they want access to the app store, they have to go by Apple's rules.
I think this is an incredibly simplistic view of things, and it gives me an impression of “there are no morals, only laws and rules, so if you have the power and influence to enforce unfair rules because you have a monopoly then everyone should simply accept that’s how things are”
Maybe I’m misrepresenting your opinion here, but I strongly disagree with the idea that monopolies should be simply allowed by society to create “take it or leave it” rules just for being non-contributing middlemen.
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Comment on RCS — SMS via the internet — is good, but it doesn't matter in ~tech
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentAh, fantastic! Thank you! Looks like it’s been in place now for nearly a year and a half, but I haven’t heard people talking about it so I assumed it was still not yet a thing!Ah, fantastic! Thank you! Looks like it’s been in place now for nearly a year and a half, but I haven’t heard people talking about it so I assumed it was still not yet a thing!
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Comment on RCS — SMS via the internet — is good, but it doesn't matter in ~tech
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentJust to reinforce your point, I have WhatsApp because that’s how my family does group messages, but from day one I’ve never allowed WhatsApp to access my contacts. And because I’ve never allowed...Just to reinforce your point, I have WhatsApp because that’s how my family does group messages, but from day one I’ve never allowed WhatsApp to access my contacts. And because I’ve never allowed access, I’ve never been able to create a group chat — WhatsApp just straight up will not give you that functionality if you don’t give it contacts permissions on iOS.
This means that, by definition, every group chat you’ve been added to has at least one person who has given unlimited contacts access to WhatsApp.
On a related note, I’ve been waiting so long for Apple to add an option to “share only these contacts” with an app, in the same way they already have granular permissions for photos (share nothing/share selected/share everything) and location (nothing/general location/precise, and share just once/for an hour/forever)
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Comment on RCS — SMS via the internet — is good, but it doesn't matter in ~tech
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentThis is fascinating to learn! I’ve basically not bothered to look into RCS for a handful of reasons, but if it’s (supposed to be) a carrier system, does that imply each country will do things...RCS is supposed to be carrier mediated, in the same way your phone calls, SMS/MMS, and cellular data is.
This is fascinating to learn! I’ve basically not bothered to look into RCS for a handful of reasons, but if it’s (supposed to be) a carrier system, does that imply each country will do things their own way? Does RCS even exist — or is it intended to exist — outside of the US?
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Comment on Youtube channel recommendations 2026 in ~tech
ThrowdoBaggins LinkBenn Jordan is a musician whose channel I came across as AI/chatgpt was starting to take off, as he was showcasing adversarial “AI poison” to make it difficult or impossible for AI to harvest your...Benn Jordan is a musician whose channel I came across as AI/chatgpt was starting to take off, as he was showcasing adversarial “AI poison” to make it difficult or impossible for AI to harvest your published music without pretty heavy corruption, while making the changes basically imperceptible to humans listening.
He’s since headed further down a number of rabbit holes around technology and how it can be used against either big tech companies or the growing surveillance state in America, eg a breakdown of how poorly protected some Flock cameras software was
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Comment on US Democrats successfully strip all anti-trans riders from final appropriations bills in ~lgbt
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentCan I hold you to that? https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-23/defiant-sussan-ley-vows-to-remain-leader/106260460 In Australia, the coalition of two conservative parties have split up for a second...Can I hold you to that?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-23/defiant-sussan-ley-vows-to-remain-leader/106260460
In Australia, the coalition of two conservative parties have split up for a second time in a year, after the leader of the party demanded resignations from party members who voted against an anti-hate-speech law (yes, the conservative party here wanted to vote in favour of anti-hate-speech laws, it’s complicated).
This resignation and split between the parties was announced on a national day of mourning after a mass shooting (we really don’t get many of these anymore in Australia, so it was pretty significant!)
I guess I gotta find you one more positive story before I can cash in on that meme, right?
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Comment on Why London’s chimney sweeps are enjoying a resurgence in ~life
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentWithout getting too close to doxxing territory, I hope you and your loved ones are safe from the recent (/ongoing) bushfires! I know a number of people in my workplace who work remotely from...Where I live (rural Victoria, Australia)
Without getting too close to doxxing territory, I hope you and your loved ones are safe from the recent (/ongoing) bushfires!
I know a number of people in my workplace who work remotely from towns/regional cities throughout the state had to evacuate, but luckily everyone I know managed to get through mostly unscathed.
It feels like that scary weather of Black Saturday and Black Summer all over again, with already a handful of days over 40°C and we’re barely half way through summer so far. Stay safe out there!
(Posted from an air conditioned office in Melbourne CBD, but grew up in central Victoria, so while I’m far removed now, I still understand how scary things can get and how quickly the wind can change)
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Comment on Curl will end its bug bounty program by the end of January due to excessive AI generated reports in ~comp
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentAlas, the network itself having no profit motive does not mean it will be free from profit motives moving in to extract what they can. Anywhere that there are people, there are opportunities to...Alas, the network itself having no profit motive does not mean it will be free from profit motives moving in to extract what they can.
Anywhere that there are people, there are opportunities to sell people stuff, or manipulate their political beliefs. Therefore anywhere that people go to, in order to seek other people and/or information, will be a place that marketing and propaganda also wants to be. If anything, as @stu2b50 said, online spaces will need to adapt and filter out the effortless slop world, or else be drowned in it.
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Comment on US households using Ozempic spend less on groceries in ~health
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentAs someone with a fairly walkable city and great access to better food (Australia) ironically, the key to my weight problems is probably also “not having to work for a soulless corporation and...like also for a lot of people “being crazy” could be resolved without meds if only they had access to things like not having to work for a soulless corporation and deal with rude people all day.
Being overweight could be resolved without meds if people had access to better food and cities were more walkable. But they don’t, and they’re not, so Ozempic it is.
As someone with a fairly walkable city and great access to better food (Australia) ironically, the key to my weight problems is probably also “not having to work for a soulless corporation and deal with rude people all day” — there are very few actual barriers to me being able to buy fresh veggies and cooking healthy for myself, except for the fact that at the end of the day, I’m exhausted and have very little energy left to put towards planning or cooking better meals.
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Comment on Recruiter harassed me whilst off sick. Considering filing a complaint. How best to handle this? in ~life
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentI was going to say the same thing. Ask Ben for his manager’s details, and ask the manager to change who your designated recruiter is. If they ask for details, just say “I don’t want to create a...I was going to say the same thing. Ask Ben for his manager’s details, and ask the manager to change who your designated recruiter is. If they ask for details, just say “I don’t want to create a fuss or step on anyone’s toes, but I can no longer work professionally with Ben given his recent behaviour while I was sick and bedridden.”
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Comment on Scientists cast doubt on the discovery of microplastics throughout the human body in ~health
ThrowdoBaggins LinkTo me, this feels like a somewhat substantial blow to what I already viewed as fairly weak evidence of the threat of microplastics. I had seen study after study testing for whether microplastics...To me, this feels like a somewhat substantial blow to what I already viewed as fairly weak evidence of the threat of microplastics.
I had seen study after study testing for whether microplastics are present, but so few actually trying to identify the harmful results of said microplastics. I know it’s not the biggest red flag or anything, because it’s not like there are zero studies showing negative effects, but it’s definitely coloured my worldview how much the studies are weighted towards “is it present” without much “is it harmful” to be of any concern.
Knowing that this is at the edge of what we’re reliably able to detect means I’ll keep an open mind for if things shift in the next few years/decades. Maybe the same trend (studies detecting presence overwhelmingly more than studies identifying harm) was the same for tobacco or leaded fuel or asbestos, and I just wasn’t around when those discoveries were being made.
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Comment on Hooters | Bankrupt in ~food
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentBack in my day, abbreviations were acronyms, but I’ve been seeing a lot of “this” > “ts” recently in memes from the youths. I’m not sure how to feel about it but I guess there’s a little bit of...Back in my day, abbreviations were acronyms, but I’ve been seeing a lot of “this” > “ts” recently in memes from the youths.
I’m not sure how to feel about it but I guess there’s a little bit of pride in somewhat keeping informed of the lingo as it changes and not being completely out of the loop
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft Weekly in ~games
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentYour name is so fitting for this advice!Your name is so fitting for this advice!
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Comment on Nose dilators in ~health
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentNot trying to be alarmist but just wanted to mention, the combination of “not getting enough air breathing” combined with headaches sounds like the symptoms I would expect from carbon monoxide...Not trying to be alarmist but just wanted to mention, the combination of “not getting enough air breathing” combined with headaches sounds like the symptoms I would expect from carbon monoxide (CO). Strongly recommend you consider getting it borrowing a CO detector and keeping it in the same room/rooms that you’re noticing these symptoms. At the very least, it’s a good idea to rule that out and cross it off the list of possibilities.
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft Weekly in ~games
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentI just wanted to mention that all the solutions you proposed are not a completely vanilla solution, but if you press F3 you can see the light level information for the block you’re standing on....How can I tell if an area has enough lights?
Good question! There are multiple methods.
I just wanted to mention that all the solutions you proposed are not a completely vanilla solution, but if you press F3 you can see the light level information for the block you’re standing on.
Sure it’s not as convenient because it doesn’t show whole areas at a glance, but as far as I can remember, mobs can usually only spawn on the surface of a block, so knowing the light level of the block tells you if its spawnable or not.
I think it’s useful to remember there are some people (like me) who play strictly vanilla: no texture packs, no shaders, no mods, just the base game as it’s shipped, and maybe even as default settings.
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Comment on What are some stories of progressivism gone wrong in implementation? in ~society
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentFor some reason, I always thought “brownout” was about timing more than voltage, but maybe those two things are related? I don’t really know a lot about electricity, I’ve just absorbed random...Since "brownout" is clearly problematic, they can only refer to "low voltage events" which is wordy without much benefit to the professionals that have to plan around brownouts, particularly in developing nations.
For some reason, I always thought “brownout” was about timing more than voltage, but maybe those two things are related? I don’t really know a lot about electricity, I’ve just absorbed random fragments of knowledge from my dad (a sparky for his entire working life, recently retired)
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Comment on What are some stories of progressivism gone wrong in implementation? in ~society
ThrowdoBaggins Link ParentI kinda love that you picked a drug-fueled psychosis episode as your example for policing here. For me personally, I think “armed forces responsible for law enforcement” is about the last person I...I kinda love that you picked a drug-fueled psychosis episode as your example for policing here.
For me personally, I think “armed forces responsible for law enforcement” is about the last person I would want to deal with that situation, especially in the US where they seem to have a horrible reputation for escalation and murder.
Give me paramedics, or a nurse, or a social worker, or a firefighter, or even a gentle giant gym bro passerby to talk to the person and defuse the situation and bring them to professional help before you send a cop that way. Maybe a cop on standby in case things get violent, but not as the first point of contact.
If someone is holding a local business owner at gunpoint, that’s when I want cops involved. If someone is mugging people at knifepoint, that’s when I want cops involved. If someone is punching pedestrians on the street, that’s when I want cops involved. Cops in the US as they currently exist are great for violent crime, but so poorly equipped for anything else.
I guess when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail, so I can see the allure of thinking police are the answer to these kinds of situations exist. I know healthcare is in such a bad way in the US, so I’m not surprised at this way of thinking, but there are other/better options for everything that’s not a crime.
Ah, good spotting, I’ve made that edit now.
I rewrote and restructured my comment a few times to soften it and make it less blunt, but also didn’t have 100% mental resources to bring it to a place I was totally happy with. I ultimately posted with the mindset of “don’t let perfect be the enemy of good” so apologies for the outcome that I wasn’t as
(gentle? Considerate? Generous?)good as I would have liked to be.