I currently use “The Transit App” for navigating by transit. How bad is that privacy wise? I know it tracks your location at least while you’re in the en route mode because it advertises that as part of its real time tracking system, and I’m torn on whether I’m okay with that given that I directly benefit from the improved real time data whenever someone else taking the same line is end route (you can see transit vehicles being tracked by another user’s app session vs data from the transit agency itself). Is there anything more shady going on with that app? Is there any way to tell whether it’s recording my motion sensors? Is the generic sounding name intentionally hiding that it’s made by the CIA or something?

    • Rentlar@lemmy.ca
      21·
      2 days ago

      I am not sure how the Google settlement connects to your claim that privacy policies never work. Google is an ad company, so that is their priority over everything else.

      I also said “at present”, and included the archive version, as I’m aware that if Transit sells out in one way or another their policy and app can change for the worse. But let’s be realistic about what it is right now, this is about the best you can expect from non-libre and closed-source.

      • Autonomous User@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

        A privacy policy never gives us control over an app. This app fails to have a libre software licence now, we do not control it.

        When they get our data, nothing will bring that copy back. So, who’s waiting?

        Let’s be realistic. We’ve lived our whole lives without their filth. We can reject it today.