It's literally not forced. It's asked as default to enable the PTT functionality.
They /could/ wait to make that request only after someone chooses the PTT option, but given they don't even communicate properly about why this dialog appears -- over 3 years after its introduction -- it's unlikely they're going to change it.
Would you rather they remove PTT functionality (which can reduce accessibility for some users), or that macOS didn't have such fine permissions? -- because that's the only way you're going to have that dialog go away...
If you don't trust the app or the "supply chain," don't use it. There are plenty FLOSS apps out there which have completely free client- and server-side source code you can review at your leisure, nobody is "forcing" you to use Discord.
It being installed without user consent is pretty shitty, but this whole time I was under the impression that it was enabled by default, which is insane.
If it wasn't in fact enabled, it's still dumb, but to me a misstep in respecting the user and not a complete breach of trust.
Ah, yeah, that’s true, but the point is that you should be respected by default (even if they just asked yes or no). It’s on by default, turns back on almost every update, and some level is on at all times (mandatory).
More accurately, it's set as default and requires a user changing their region to turn it off. Still not great for freedom of information, but not quite as bad as mandatory.
I don't remember if this is opt-in or not, but I do not have it in my Firefox. Maybe I just removed it myself immediately after first install, when I went through to update all of the privacy and other browser settings.
I agree that it seems like a crappy extension, and people should be upset about things being preloaded to their browser.
But there's a point here to be made, that if you're concerned about privacy at all today, you need to look at the settings of any software after you install it. It doesn't matter how much previous trust you have for the developers. This should just be default behavior so that any surprise is met immediately, and not after any damage it could perform has been done.
Also an explicit action. Look, most people don’t know anything about computers. If it says use recommended settings, they will go for it. Even an explanatory first-install screen with “consent” is just jumbo jumbo to regular folks. It’s not comparable to installing custom software or enabling a feature from the settings. It’s incredibly irresponsible.
Even so, such invasive features need to renew consent and/or periodically alert users. The risks with someone else enabling them to spy are too high.
mikewhy: The article states that it re-adds itself to the list automatically the next time you log in, without asking for permission again. There's no option to keep it permanently disabled.
You have to enable it. When you have it enabled, they send you reminders every so often letting you know that it's enabled and how to disable it. It's so uncreepy. Customer asked company to do something, company does it but insists on reaching out occasionally to remind you that they're doing it and letting you know how to turn it off.
How can this service exist for customers who want it without being "creepy"?
I don’t understand the purpose. Couldn’t they turn it on for all users? Do they need extra permission? Or they are just testing user’s behaviour on seeing this so they could plan more intrusive thing?
Am I misunderstanding something or couldn't this just be made an optional setting?
So users can lockdown the ability to install stuff if they want without overcoming various hurdles (maybe allow users to add customised message so if a user tries to do it a message will pop-up saying "Your Son/Daughter/whoever has said you should never disable this! Call them before doing this if someone has asked you to!").
I feel like there is so many options/info hidden from consumers about their devices that really shouldn't be. And preventing it or hiding it only really serves the companies themselves, not the end user.
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