Data Cake
@data-cake.bsky.social
Companies are using our data to harm us. We need to stop letting companies use our data for their own ends. We're being exploited.
https://medium.com/@data-cake
https://medium.com/@data-cake
Reposted by Data Cake
the actual Luddites were big fans of automation technology, when it was owned and used by craftsmen. the only reason you believe otherwise is that capitalists waged a propaganda war against them
you should check out @bcmerchant.bsky.social's Blood in the Machine
you should check out @bcmerchant.bsky.social's Blood in the Machine
November 3, 2025 at 6:18 PM
the actual Luddites were big fans of automation technology, when it was owned and used by craftsmen. the only reason you believe otherwise is that capitalists waged a propaganda war against them
you should check out @bcmerchant.bsky.social's Blood in the Machine
you should check out @bcmerchant.bsky.social's Blood in the Machine
Google, Meta, GM, so many companies commercialize our data without our consent. If we never consent to their terms of service, where do they get the right to monetize our data? In short, they don't. Using our data like this is not ok and illegal.
data-cake.medium.com/they-dont-ev...
data-cake.medium.com/they-dont-ev...
They don’t even ask
Let’s talk about the rationalizations corporations use for commercializing our data: we all consent. They show us the terms. We click “I…
data-cake.medium.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Google, Meta, GM, so many companies commercialize our data without our consent. If we never consent to their terms of service, where do they get the right to monetize our data? In short, they don't. Using our data like this is not ok and illegal.
data-cake.medium.com/they-dont-ev...
data-cake.medium.com/they-dont-ev...
Reposted by Data Cake
Monetization of user data has been a bad idea since 1994.
It turns out that it was a bad idea to allow right-wing billionaires to control the American information system.
The analogies @whstancil.bsky.social draws here to explain why, in today’s changed media environment, carefully crafted pocketbook messages fail against the din of right-wing noise are so apt. www.offmessage.net/p/the-doom-l...
January 29, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Monetization of user data has been a bad idea since 1994.
Reposted by Data Cake
They literally ruin everything they touch
October 31, 2025 at 3:44 AM
They literally ruin everything they touch
Our data is not just a technical by-product of the platforms we use. Our data is a reflection of who we are. Our publicity laws already protect the commercial value of any attributes that make a person recognizable for a commercial purpose.
data-cake.medium.com/our-data-is-...
data-cake.medium.com/our-data-is-...
Our data is part of us
When we talk about how companies commercialize user data, we have to understand that our data is not just a technical by-product of the…
data-cake.medium.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Our data is not just a technical by-product of the platforms we use. Our data is a reflection of who we are. Our publicity laws already protect the commercial value of any attributes that make a person recognizable for a commercial purpose.
data-cake.medium.com/our-data-is-...
data-cake.medium.com/our-data-is-...
Reposted by Data Cake
More #Meta data theft.
It is stunning to see how Meta illegally downloaded billions of pages of copyrighted books and articles from Russian pirate sites when training Llama 3. And not only that, but Meta also directly redistributed that copyrighted data to others:
March 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM
More #Meta data theft.
Reposted by Data Cake
A big tech lobbying group has asked Trump to issue an Executive Order telling the DOJ to intervene in AI copyright lawsuits in favor of AI companies.
Astonishingly brazen request.
Though IMO suggests AI companies are v worried they will lose in court.
progresschamber.org/resources/wh...
Astonishingly brazen request.
Though IMO suggests AI companies are v worried they will lose in court.
progresschamber.org/resources/wh...
October 28, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A big tech lobbying group has asked Trump to issue an Executive Order telling the DOJ to intervene in AI copyright lawsuits in favor of AI companies.
Astonishingly brazen request.
Though IMO suggests AI companies are v worried they will lose in court.
progresschamber.org/resources/wh...
Astonishingly brazen request.
Though IMO suggests AI companies are v worried they will lose in court.
progresschamber.org/resources/wh...
Reposted by Data Cake
Despite the headline it’s not George RR Martin personally going for them cos he’s rich and famous. It’s all of us.
The test case used his work, but it’s about the plain-as-day issue that ANY generative AI ignores and infringes copyright, by passing off.
That’s a win for basic law.
The test case used his work, but it’s about the plain-as-day issue that ANY generative AI ignores and infringes copyright, by passing off.
That’s a win for basic law.
Judge rules George R.R. Martin and other authors can sue OpenAI for copyright infringement
• Said ChatGPT generated 'Game of Thrones' content similar enough to infringe copyright
• OpenAI’s motion to dismiss was denied
• Said ChatGPT generated 'Game of Thrones' content similar enough to infringe copyright
• OpenAI’s motion to dismiss was denied
October 30, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Despite the headline it’s not George RR Martin personally going for them cos he’s rich and famous. It’s all of us.
The test case used his work, but it’s about the plain-as-day issue that ANY generative AI ignores and infringes copyright, by passing off.
That’s a win for basic law.
The test case used his work, but it’s about the plain-as-day issue that ANY generative AI ignores and infringes copyright, by passing off.
That’s a win for basic law.
Reposted by Data Cake
Kodansha, Kadokawa, Shogakukan, Square Enix, and 14 more Japanese companies publish a joint statement criticizing Sora2's generative AI and claiming copyright infringement
18 Anime, Manga Companies Publish Joint Statement Criticizing Use of Generative AI With Sora2 Program
Kodansha, Kadokawa, Shogakukan, Square Enix, more assert case for copyright infringement
www.animenewsnetwork.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Kodansha, Kadokawa, Shogakukan, Square Enix, and 14 more Japanese companies publish a joint statement criticizing Sora2's generative AI and claiming copyright infringement
Electric Utility companies swindled us with Smart Meters with the same arguments and rationalization that tech companies use for commercializing user data
medium.com/@data-cake/e...
medium.com/@data-cake/e...
Smart meters were a bad deal
When our data gets collected and commercialized when we use a social media platform or some other online service, the value of the exchange…
medium.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Electric Utility companies swindled us with Smart Meters with the same arguments and rationalization that tech companies use for commercializing user data
medium.com/@data-cake/e...
medium.com/@data-cake/e...
Every time we click "I Agree," when we consent to let companies use our data for their own ends, we enable so much the digital economy. So many tech companies depend on our data. So many companies derive almost all of their revenue from commercializing our data.
October 25, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Every time we click "I Agree," when we consent to let companies use our data for their own ends, we enable so much the digital economy. So many tech companies depend on our data. So many companies derive almost all of their revenue from commercializing our data.
Reposted by Data Cake
The paradox of our times - you care enough about your health and survival to monitor yourself/sweat/exercise etc but care not a damn about giving the intimate data these devices extract to a private company that bears no responsibility for your welfare.
“Companies large and small now produce specialized sensors, no bigger than a slice of lemon, that measure our sweat rates and composition: how fast we throw water off the body, and what’s exactly in those little beads.”
What Sweat Tracking Devices Can Tell Us About Our Health
A new cottage industry of wearable sensors has popped up to address America's most ignored biomarker: sweat. Can perspiration data improve our lives?
www.gq.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:48 PM
The paradox of our times - you care enough about your health and survival to monitor yourself/sweat/exercise etc but care not a damn about giving the intimate data these devices extract to a private company that bears no responsibility for your welfare.
Reposted by Data Cake
That’s part of the problem, your average social media user probably just thinks of it as a fancier version of Snapchat filters. When you told them that data was being sold to various entities for training facial recognition software their response was usually “I’m sure that’s not true.”
October 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
That’s part of the problem, your average social media user probably just thinks of it as a fancier version of Snapchat filters. When you told them that data was being sold to various entities for training facial recognition software their response was usually “I’m sure that’s not true.”
Reposted by Data Cake
New: senators warn that Saudi Arabia's acquisition of EA will be used for 'foreign influence'. Points to access to EA user data, AI tech, and the general direction of the company
www.404media.co/senators-war...
www.404media.co/senators-war...
Senators Warn Saudi Arabia’s Acquisition of EA Will Be Used for ‘Foreign Influence’
‘The proposed transaction poses a number of significant foreign influence and national security risks.’
www.404media.co
October 15, 2025 at 1:29 PM
New: senators warn that Saudi Arabia's acquisition of EA will be used for 'foreign influence'. Points to access to EA user data, AI tech, and the general direction of the company
www.404media.co/senators-war...
www.404media.co/senators-war...
Reposted by Data Cake
If you’re a Ring doorbell user and don’t already know the significant hazards of using that brand for your security and doorbell needs, please read this. Your data, your video, it’s not secure. It hasn’t been for ages, do you want it contributing to ICE gestapo?
www.theverge.com/news/801856/...
www.theverge.com/news/801856/...
Amazon’s Ring now works with video surveillance company Flock
The partnership allows police agencies who use Flock software to request footage from Ring users in the Neighbors app.
www.theverge.com
October 18, 2025 at 2:13 PM
If you’re a Ring doorbell user and don’t already know the significant hazards of using that brand for your security and doorbell needs, please read this. Your data, your video, it’s not secure. It hasn’t been for ages, do you want it contributing to ICE gestapo?
www.theverge.com/news/801856/...
www.theverge.com/news/801856/...
Reposted by Data Cake
TikTok quietly changed its policies to make it easier to share user data with government and regulatory authorities, and weakened promises to inform users (Emily Baker-White/Forbes)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
October 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM
TikTok quietly changed its policies to make it easier to share user data with government and regulatory authorities, and weakened promises to inform users (Emily Baker-White/Forbes)
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
Reposted by Data Cake
The collection and sale of user data by tech companies should be illegal
Do you have any extremely niche, but serious, ethical stances?
October 20, 2025 at 4:46 AM
The collection and sale of user data by tech companies should be illegal
Reposted by Data Cake
It only feels Luddite* to say this because of the gobs of money big corporations have spent convincing us all that "technology" is inherently good and its uses mustn't be criticized or its adoption slowed.
* in the common, modern use of the word. Don't @ me.
* in the common, modern use of the word. Don't @ me.
It feels Luddite to say this, but probably the boldest thing a news org can do is have a really draconian policy about AI as a signal to the public. Not anti-tech, but rather to apply journalistic skepticism about the tool itself. Social contract: We won't use this unless it makes the news better.
October 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
It only feels Luddite* to say this because of the gobs of money big corporations have spent convincing us all that "technology" is inherently good and its uses mustn't be criticized or its adoption slowed.
* in the common, modern use of the word. Don't @ me.
* in the common, modern use of the word. Don't @ me.
Reposted by Data Cake
It isn't "anti-nature" to say you shouldn't use a rock to smash your neighbor's skull, and it isn't "anti-tech" or "Luddite"* or "anti-tech" or whatever to say AI shouldn't be used in a way that destroys the very concept of truth.
* again: common modern usage. Don't @ me. You know what I'm saying.
* again: common modern usage. Don't @ me. You know what I'm saying.
October 17, 2025 at 5:09 PM
It isn't "anti-nature" to say you shouldn't use a rock to smash your neighbor's skull, and it isn't "anti-tech" or "Luddite"* or "anti-tech" or whatever to say AI shouldn't be used in a way that destroys the very concept of truth.
* again: common modern usage. Don't @ me. You know what I'm saying.
* again: common modern usage. Don't @ me. You know what I'm saying.
Reposted by Data Cake
If capitalists were honest. 😆
October 20, 2025 at 12:16 AM
If capitalists were honest. 😆
Reposted by Data Cake
How to opt out:
Go to your account → Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement & toggle the switch off to opt out.
Find out more: tuta.com/blog/linkedi...
Go to your account → Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement & toggle the switch off to opt out.
Find out more: tuta.com/blog/linkedi...
Act until Nov 3rd to stop LinkedIn from abusing your data to train AI! | Tuta
Soon your data like your resumes and profile information will be used to train LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Co.'s artificial intelligence. And no, you didn’t opt-in. Take action and stop this now.
tuta.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:16 AM
How to opt out:
Go to your account → Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement & toggle the switch off to opt out.
Find out more: tuta.com/blog/linkedi...
Go to your account → Settings & Privacy → Data privacy → Data for Generative AI Improvement & toggle the switch off to opt out.
Find out more: tuta.com/blog/linkedi...
Reposted by Data Cake
US credit and data trader Experian has been fined €2.7 million by the Dutch privacy watchdog AP for illegally collecting and selling personal information to assess creditworthiness www.dutchnews.nl/2025/10/priv...
Privacy watchdog hands €2.7 m fine to credit score firm Experian - DutchNews.nl
US credit and data trader Experian has been fined €2.7 million by the Dutch privacy watchdog AP for illegally collecting and selling personal information to assess creditworthiness. The company sold ...
www.dutchnews.nl
October 19, 2025 at 8:29 AM
US credit and data trader Experian has been fined €2.7 million by the Dutch privacy watchdog AP for illegally collecting and selling personal information to assess creditworthiness www.dutchnews.nl/2025/10/priv...
We do need to let companies use our data for our relationship with them to make sense.
October 22, 2025 at 2:32 AM
We do need to let companies use our data for our relationship with them to make sense.
At first, we control the rights to use our own data. But then, we grant companies a license to use our data. We grant each company multiple licenses. We give them permission to legally collect, use, share and often sell our data. Forever.
October 22, 2025 at 2:30 AM
At first, we control the rights to use our own data. But then, we grant companies a license to use our data. We grant each company multiple licenses. We give them permission to legally collect, use, share and often sell our data. Forever.
When we click "I Agree" on the terms of service, we are not "giving the company our data." That doesn't exist yet. And we never really have it. We are not giving companies data, specific information, or facts. We are giving the companies the right to use our data in the future.
October 22, 2025 at 2:29 AM
When we click "I Agree" on the terms of service, we are not "giving the company our data." That doesn't exist yet. And we never really have it. We are not giving companies data, specific information, or facts. We are giving the companies the right to use our data in the future.