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  • Showing only topics in ~tech with the tag "usa". Back to normal view / Search all groups
    1. Looking to cancel Amazon Prime for ethical reasons (and quality decline) - what are my alternatives for online shopping?

      For the past few years, I've grown more and more uneasy with Amazon's business practices. I think it's time to move on. Not to mention the declining quality in products since international...

      For the past few years, I've grown more and more uneasy with Amazon's business practices. I think it's time to move on. Not to mention the declining quality in products since international shippers were added (as discussed in the podcast Reply All).

      I'm addicted to the convenience of 2 day shipping, even though we use Amazon less and less, I like knowing I have that option.

      I've been considering a Costco membership instead - how does their online shopping and shipping times/prices compare?

      I've also considered using Jet more but I don't know much about their ethics, does anyone?

      Open to other alternatives and discussion about business ethics here.

      33 votes
    2. Does a trustworthy VPN provide privacy? If so, how do you know if a VPN is trustworthy?

      It's hard to get a straight answer on this because there are allegations of shilling everywhere when it comes to VPNs (particularly when you discuss specific providers). There's also this post...

      It's hard to get a straight answer on this because there are allegations of shilling everywhere when it comes to VPNs (particularly when you discuss specific providers). There's also this post which gets linked pretty frequently and which seems to throw a wrench in the whole idea.

      For context, I ask because I have two main concerns:

      1. I have been the subject of a mild internet stalking/doxing, and I have no wish to relive that experience.
      2. I live in the United States and, if I am understanding things correctly, my ISP now has the right to sell my browsing data without my consent.

      I have no love for my ISP and am all about the idea of blocking them from gathering data about me, but it seems the only other option is to hand all of my data over to another company who simply promises not to do anything with it. While I'm sure some of them are legitimate, how can you tell the difference between a genuine privacy tool and a honeypot?

      23 votes