But Peter Thiel said we need the technology to restrain the antichrist.

Ah sorry, it seems I read over that part. Unless programmers have the exceptional skills and time required, to effectively reverse engineer these complex algorithms, nobody will bother to do so; especially when required after each update. On the contrary, if source code was available, the bar of entry is significantly lower and requires way less specialized skills. So save to say, most programmers won’t even bother inspecting a binary, unless there’s absolutely no other way around or have time to burn. Where as, if you’d open up the source, there would be a lot more, let’s say C programmers, able to inspect the algorithm. Really, have a look at what it requires to write binary code, let alone reverse engineering complicated code, that somebody else wrote.

I agree with Linus’ statement though: I rarely inspect source-code myself, but I find it more comforting knowing, package-maintainers for instance, could theoretically check the source before distribution. I stand by my opinion that it’s a bad look for a privacy- and security-oriented piece of software, to restrict non-“experts” from inspecting that, which should ensure that.

If that is true, that might reinforce the concept of valuing expert opinions, over the that of the democracy; which makes it a technocracy instead. I think we’ve all realized many, if not all governments are completely incompetent, and have been for quite a while. But this doesn’t mean a government can appoint unelected “experts” (which literally happened in The Netherlands) to steer the ship, with a complete disregard for democratic will. And if one wanted to manufacture consent, it couldn’t be easier than doing it during a deathly pandemic, with all eyes focused on centralized press convergences and active repression of contradicting narratives. Maybe we should outsource politics entirely to digital systems, which surveil the public constantly, to poll their interests in real time; what could possibly go wrong?

It’s not just about the masks: (commercial) buildings still utilize occupancy level sensors and air quality monitors, required during COVID in order to stay operational. What you see happening here, is that these sensors are increasingly supplying data to “smart”: air filters, heating/cooling systems, lighting, room/workplace reservation, etc.; leading them to become entire “smart buildings”. This monitoring “for safety” is also extended with regulation of online platforms, or the physical private and public sphere (by use of cameras or alternative sensors). Sure “safety” has always been a bite-sized argument, but I’d argue the COVID pandemic having substantiated it.

I would argue the COVID pandemic having expanded its influence drastically, also in areas previously unexplored. Need an appointment at the barber? Got to plan that using a digital calendar on their website. Need some groceries? Oh, we can now just DoorDash. Have a job interview? Have a Zoom call instead of coming over in person.

COVID regulations directly required “contactless payment”, at least here; so that might be a direct consequence of the pandemic.

If open-source, a lot more eyes could be on it, and therefore the chances of intentionally implemented vulnerabilities, by Threema itself, would have a higher chance of being noticed before able to be exploited, by both hackers and Threema (partners).

If you mean I repeat the post’s body? No, it’s the opposite. In fact:

It’s a quote

So now you denounce me again, while STILL not having provided any useful comment. Talking about good faith discussions

I fully agree with you comment. I can understand you’ve interpreted it that way, and have since updated the body to clarify this. Regarding technology having increasing since its inception: that may be true, however I would argue the COVID pandemic having expanded its influence drastically, also in areas previously unexplored. Need an appointment at the barber? Got to plan that using a digital calendar on their website. Need some groceries? Oh, we can now just DoorDash. Have a job interview? Have a Zoom call instead of coming over in person. And I could go on, and on, and on. And regarding your last point, perhaps my issue lies more with the enforcement of expert opinions, and them being presented as ultimate truths, disregarding people’s own opinions. Although I do agree genuine experts to be valuable, there’s also a lot that pretend to be that, while having a conflict of interest.

I’m discussing now right? Meanwhile you’re posting yet another useless comment

I think COVID gave big-tech a rather HUGE boost, as it restricted non-tech businesses, while actively promoting tech as the substitute. As for safety hysteria, I want to clarify I don’t believe COVID itself was pure hysteria, although I do believe policy makers overstepped, and in turn caused excessive harm to youth for instance. Instead I’d argue the hysteria for COVID surrounding safety, extends into modern society, and is applied to subjects like social media bans and occupancy levels at buildings for instance. And finally for the “expert” obedience part, or rather a technocratic approach over a democratic one, can be seen in politics being “advised” by “experts” rather than by democratic will, the excessive presence of “experts” at talk-shows for instance, and the most obvious being social-media censorship surrounding COVID skepticism, as outright “misinformation”. Even though a lot of it is purely nonsensical speculation of course.

Well then what concepts did it introduce, which extend into modern society? I see no arguments against my question, indicating a quest for discussion. Calling someone a crackhead doesn’t contribute to the discussion it seems; who would’ve thought?

Still, if the service is supposed to be security and privacy-oriented, how about you make the source-code available, so users can verify this for themselves?

Fair point

proprietary encryption algorithms verified by thought-leading cybersecurity experts and communities worldwide

Trust the experts bro

AI risk management, what could possibly go wrong?

Your nose or…?

The queen B be pimpin’ the worker beeatches

Of course, make an anti-feature part of an integral part, which coincidentally also happens to handle personal files…

I’m not that up-to-date on my bat-lore, but I’ve always thought they were primarily active at night, and navigate themselves using sonar there. But perhaps eyesight is also complementary to sonar at night, or vise versa? Again, my bat-lore’s lacking

Photos, as in sonar depth maps?

McCormick, who Zuck noted would be focusing much of her energy on “partnering with governments and sovereigns to build, deploy, invest in, and finance Meta’s infrastructure.”

Meta last week signed three new long-term contracts with TerraPower, Oklo, and Vistra for nuclear energy. Combined with the company’s existing commitments with Constellation Energy, the Social Network has now contracted for roughly 6.6 gigawatts of atomic power

It’s all just so soul crushingly in the open and shameless