‘The online instructions for restricting data access are very complex and confusing, and the steps required are scattered in different places. There’s no clear direction on whether to go to the app settings, the central settings – or even both,’ says Amel Bourdoucen, a doctoral researcher at Aalto.
Sounds like there’s some dark pattern BS going on with those settings.
How so? Do they hold a gun to your head whenever you go shopping?
Transitioning from Android to IPhone, is also a bitch. I had the opportunity to buy a basically new ~1k+ iPhone for $200 and just completely passed the offer because between migrating play stuff and learning apple how to be stuck in apple was just not worth it.
The difference is, if you have an iPhone and want to buy a smartwatch/earbuds you will likely pick Apple made ones, as they are artificially made better than the competition.
While on Android you can pick from a bunch of different companies without any real downsides, and when you want to switch to a different phone (e.g from a Samsung to a Pixel) you won't need to switch your smartwatch or earbuds.
How so? Do they hold a gun to your head whenever you go shopping?
I had the opportunity to buy a basically new ~1k+ iPhone for $200 and just completely passed the offer because between migrating play stuff and learning apple how to be stuck in apple was just not worth it.
Why did you ask the first question if you yourself believe buying Apple means being stuck?
Disclaimer: Linux user through-and-through ; I have a modern "m" mac for some work specific applications.
Setting up a macbook today doesn't require an apple id or even an email address. My warranty is with the non-apple authorized retailer I bought the computer from, I don't use the software store (but I think it would work) nor do I use any apple services like itunes, or, without the apple id, I don't have icloud backups. And I don't/can't buy anything from the store, of course.
I am able to update the os, I have just one notification in the settings about setting up the account but no showstopper at all.
So what does apple get from me? I'd guess crude location (from my vpn), hardware/OS version and maybe installed software? That's not much, and since it's a work machine it's offline all the time, I can't see that device doing much behind my back.
If apple is indeed looking deep into that laptop, then I guess they'll see I also have Asahi on it. And maybe they are really really intrusive and notice I'm using that Asahi partition 80% of the time (;
Joking aside, if you need macos, it is possible to use macos. With some limitations: handle your own backups, get your software from the vendors and... And that's it.
Sadly we know you are very much the exception in Apple Land.
Generally, folks who buy Apple do so because they don't have to think about this stuff.
Most people just login/create accounts as prompted (on Android too, with companies like Samsung - there was a post yesterday confused about such logins).
I posted the above for the sake of precision - OTOH, I had my workplace buy an ipad and that was impossible to setup without email + creating an apple id. I don't care much (used work email), but still. Same with:
Windows 11
my latest kobo ereader
Stay away from Sonos loudspeakers too
Since I'm borderline psychotic about this, I always create a temporary access point on my phone that I delete right after setup is done, over a disposable email address from simplelogin.com.
there's a significant portion of software provided only via the App Store with no independent download from the vendor available. granted, you can get most stuff with direct download and macports/brew but there is stuff out there that forces you to sign in.
telemetry that's baked in along with the global Apple network that you're involuntarily part of (that's how random airtags/find-my-shit work) should be deal breakers for anyone.