Meta payment message

So I got the message from instagram about either paying or using it free (at the cost personalised ads) just now.

1000010454

Doesn’t this go against the GDPR? Either way, is there a FOSS alternative for instagram like piped is to youtube? It seems like a good opportunity to stop using the official app, even though it would be better to not use instagram at all (sadly not an option for me right now).

Any suggestions, and if so, are there any that provide functionality for: stories, posts, dms? Those are the 3 things I use instagram for.

Many thanks!

Edit: For messaging I do use beeper, though some media like carousels and posts sent to my dms cant be shown in there, so for those cases I open the official app.

Edit 2: many people have suggested pixelfed. Ive heard of it, and want to use it, but unfortunately the only reason Im still sticking with instagram is because I have very dear friends who would never change to anything non-mainstream. Theyre important enough that im willing to not delete it just yet, but I dont want to agree to either pay or pay with my data.

What im looking for is more like a piped for youtube, thing. So a frintend that has instagram content/features, but isnt the main app and avoids the problems I listed above

Edit 3: I ended up installing the site as a PWA on my phone as thats the only device I use it on, and uninstalled the official app. Thanks to everyone for all your input!

rustyriffs,

PWA

What’s that mean?

promitheas,
@promitheas@iusearchlinux.fyi avatar

Progressive Web App.

Its like “installing” a website to your phone kinda. Usually if you open the menu on your mobile browser, if the site supports it there will be an option to install the site to your phone as a web app.

lorez,

Choose wisely.

LifeOfChance,

Wouldn’t they just skirt the technicalities with just showing targeted sponsorships anyways?

Rearsays,

It seems like a nice idea that they offer a paid option for an ad free internet

glasgitarrewelt,

Still a privacy nightmare, with and without ads.

Scary_le_Poo,
@Scary_le_Poo@beehaw.org avatar

Hermit app make PWAs a realistic alternative

promitheas,
@promitheas@iusearchlinux.fyi avatar

Seems like a very interesting app. Is it open source by any chance?

Scary_le_Poo,
@Scary_le_Poo@beehaw.org avatar

No idea, didn’t really care.

hermit.chimbori.com/help/

promitheas,
@promitheas@iusearchlinux.fyi avatar

Im trying it out even though its closed source

reboot6675,

Wait, so it’s either targeted ads or pay? Damn… Silly me thinking if you don’t pay you still could opt out of targeted ads.

But yeah, isn’t this against GDPR?

random65837,

Nope, the GDPR allows data collection as long as the user explicits concents to it, and it doesn’t say services can’t be fee based. It’s not a workaround.

Better question is why is a privacy advocate using a platform owned by Meta in the first place.

Plus, although still stupid, you could simply connect from a US IP address, and since people that care about privacy already have VPNs, pretty trivial to do.

drev, (edited )

I’m certain it is. I sent an objection/data deletion request, and their “privacy info” pages are absolutely in violation of GDPR, because their forms are NOT reasonably accessible. I needed to use 3 separate mobile browsers and my desktop. When you finally get to the form, they ask some basic info, and the box where you’re supposed to make a request ends by asking something like “what rights do you believe are being violated, and why?”. The fucking gall on these cunts.

I planned on dropping some links, but they all have hard-coded non-functional redirects, which is intentional and absolutely infuriating. The redirects either just break like this one, which is suppose to be the one that contains a link to the form:

help.instagram.com/contact/117037592428568

Or they take you somewhere barely related, like this one which was the hidden start page for the form:

m.facebook.com/help/1221288724572426?wtsid=rdr_0b…

Or maybe it was this one? I can’t remember, because it doesn’t fucking take me to the page I saved the url for:

m.facebook.com/help/238318146535333?wtsid=rdr_0LK…

Anyway, I’m mad if that’s not obvious. If you happen to find the form, you can try opting out. I haven’t heard back yet. Here’s the thorough and crystal fucking clear message I wrote, feel free to copy/share it:

The rights granted to me as a resident of an EEA country and a citizen of an EU member state, which are outlined in the GDPR, would be violated if Meta is non-compliant to my requests and objections. I’ve noted the exact sections within the GDPR outlining my rights, just before each pertaining request/objection, to explain why I believe my rights and freedoms are impacted by the data processing (although, I should not need to explain why).

I am exercising my right to object outlined in GDPR Article 21 Sections 1, 2, and 6:

I object to the processing and collection of my personal data for direct marketing, and request that no further collection or processing of my personal data is carried out.

I am also exercising my right to erasure outlined in GDPR Article 17 Section 1 (b) and ©:

I request that all of my collected and/or processed personal data be erased.

I am also exercising my right of access outlined in GDPR Article 15 Section 1, Section 2, Section 3, and Section 4:

I request a full copy of my processed personal data, as well as any relevant details listed in each subsection of GDPR Article 15 Section 1.

If any of my personal data is stored under an email address other than the ones currently or previously associated with my account, then I will need the preceding requests and objections to be carried out for the personal data generated under each of the following: [all email addresses I’ve used anywhere in the past 20 years].

fluffery,
@fluffery@lemmy.ml avatar

Pixelfed for true alternative PWA works Instander exists

pewgar_seemsimandroid,

instander

Lemmchen,

Is there an open source alternative?

pewgar_seemsimandroid,

can’t find one but i remember a GitHub repo with a list of foss/floss program alternatives

QuazarOmega, (edited )

There’s proxygram which is still a work in progress, but it’s already looking pretty good for now imo

wesley,

I setup my own pixelfed instance to share pictures of my kids and family. I own and control all the data on my server and no one gets to monetize pictures of my children.

Not many of my family members are on there but I still prefer it to Instagram

plz1,

The fact that the ad revenue button is more emphasized and easier to press (closer to screen edge) says a lot about the value of you being their product vs. you simply paying them for access.

crashprone,

You can still use Instagram on your browser, without being shown the banner. Works for me with Firefox on Android.

If you do decide to opt for the subscription (I hope you don’t) do it from your desktop browser since it costs 10€ instead of 12.99€. I haven’t tried it myself, but that’s what I read on a German website.

I still need to use the app to stay in touch with some friends and to get updates from smaller organizations that do not have a Web presence or newsletter.

I uninstalled Instagram when I was shown the banner. Not out of principle but I simply don’t know which action would send the right signal. By continuing to use the app for free I would be sending the signal that I do not care about my privacy.

So do I pay for the subscription? I read somewhere elsewhere Meta makes more than that off me using targeted ads. So by subscribing do i still get to use the service and they make less money off me? There’s no guarantee they honor the no tracking even if I pay.

So I’ve just uninstalled the app for now.

Sanyanov,

The fact is, they didn’t say they won’t collect data on you, they just won’t use it for ads

ohlaph,

Exactly. Best to uninstall and deactivate and stop using it.

promitheas,
@promitheas@iusearchlinux.fyi avatar

Thanks for this reply. Ive installed the site as a PWA and uninstalled the official app. Theres no way I’m either paying or giving them consent for personalised ads.

Lemmchen,

from your desktop browser since it costs 10€ instead of 12.99€

Are there any VPN shenanigans one could try to make it cheaper?

random65837,

Shenanigans? No. Simply connecting from a US or not EU IP, pretty damn simple.

tarius,

I didnt see it mentioned but, Ive been using Instander for some time. Its been great!

1984,
@1984@lemmy.today avatar

You need to make a choice, Mr Anderson…

promitheas,
@promitheas@iusearchlinux.fyi avatar

Loving the username and matrix reference :)

Im reading 1984 right now, i like it so far.

1984,
@1984@lemmy.today avatar

It’s good, and after that, check out Brave New World which is similar to what we have now. :)

Freeman,

And Fahrenheit 451, another classic

whoisearth,
@whoisearth@lemmy.ca avatar

It’s so interesting because realistically we’re a hybrid of both but damn did they both have a good whack at hitting the nail on the head.

Either way it’s a sad reflection of the world we now live in, all self anesthesized and false truths.

Treczoks,

The sane choice would be to leave.

nonearther,

Before I suggest this, I’m not 100% how private and secure this is, but AeroInsta doesn’t show any ads and promises not to send cookies and any of your data across.

You can download APK from here

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