Notices by Mastodon Migration VOTED (mastodonmigration@mastodon.online)

@infosec_jcp

MUST... CONNECT... MUST... TOAST

So, over in the astronomy world there is some consternation about a tweet from eminent satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell.

Apparently "Starlink Precipitation" is now a thing. And yes, you got that right, Starlink precipitation is pieces of Elon Musk's fucking internet satellites raining down from space.

See also this post from @carlysagan: https://mastodon.social/@carlysagan/112448150797509408

Want to find ACTIVE journalists on Mastodon? This spreadsheet is just amazing. A couple days ago Martin Holland @mho posted a project of his to promote journalists. It starts with known journalism accounts from the @tchambers list, but also tracks their activity, so you can see who is actually posting regularly.

This is an absolutely wonder resource, and a great asset for the fediverse!

Check it out!

⏩https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uWj0j_AL6YQMK87U7_CFpvudK-Aygtx7Bea3fbjxgyo/edit#gid=1993864896

Martin's Feb. 7th post: https://social.heise.de/@mho/111891959279804843

#journalism #lists

This is so cool! WordPress is absolutely crushing it!

"The WordPress ActivityPub plugin has been updated to version 2.0. The major feature of the release is better comment federation... “When you respond to comments from the fediverse on your blog, they will now be federated. This allows you to finally engage in (threaded) communication back and forth directly from the comment section of your blog!”

https://fediversereport.com/wordpress-activitypub-plugin-updates-to-v2-0/

Congratulations @pfefferle! Amazing work!

#WordPress #ActivityPub

@Gargron @rexum

Think that the focus on ads misses the point. The primary issue is not the display of ads, but rather the collection and analysis of Fediverse user personal data and content, and the use of it for profiling the user. The concern is that such data is taken from the Fediverse and is used to fill out Meta's profile of the user and then exploited for whatever purpose, including but not at all limited to ads.

@Gargron The bigger concern would be that a Fediverse user might start getting ads on other platforms about honey, just because they follow someone on Threads and also follow beekeepers.ninja or simply post on Mastodon about bees.

But this is not just about ads. It is about data privacy and what Meta claims authority to do with data and content pulled from the Fediverse.

@Gargron Yes, but this does not address the issue. The concern expressed here is the use of this identity data, as well as Mastodon user content and interactions, for the purpose of Threads broader business services, including ads.

As described in the document Supplemental Privacy Policy: https://help.instagram.com/515230437301944

#threads #DataPrivacy

IMPORTANT. Threads stated policy is to collect and exploit Fediverse user personal data without explicit consent.

Now is a very good time to review Threads Terms of Use (https://terms.threads.com/terms-of-use) and Supplemental Privacy Policy (https://help.instagram.com/515230437301944).

Note just by following a Threads user or replying to a post, Meta claims they are entitled to your personal data.

And what do they say they will do with your data? Provide you with "business services (including ads)."

#threads #DataPrivacy

@tchambers @pfefferle

This and promote those benefit discussions using a Fediverse account dedicated to advancing this capability. This account should also contain the directory discussed above, as well as how to instructions. Kind of a one stop Fediverse shop for WP integration. If the account posts regularly accounts like @tchambers, @feditips, this account and other promoters will certainly boost regularly.

One of Mastodon's premier independent journalists, @Brandi_Buchman is going through a tough patch right now. The job market has dried up. She is scrambling for meaningful work, posting here and trying to make ends meet. Best known for her amazing coverage of Jan 6 on Daily Kos, Brandi is now freelancing for Law and Crime and looking for her next solid gig.

Check out her report on Jack Smith's response to Trump's latest nonsense >>> https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/without-regard-to-numbers-wealth-or-rank-special-counsel-rails-against-trump-scattershot-first-amendment-claims-as-demand-for-special-exception/

You're the best Brandi! Stay strong.

We talk about wanting professional journalists to ditch Twitter and come to Mastodon.

When they do we need to make them welcome!

Today Chris Bing @Bing_Chris a distinguished Reuters reporter covering hacking and foreign affairs has joined Mastodon saying "Hi - Twitter is a garbage fire. I am going to try to use this platform more. Love,-Bing."

Let's show Chris some love!

#follow #infosec #cybersecurity #ForeignAffairs

@martin @feditips

The profile picture and description are picked up from the WordPress icon image and description entered in Settings >>> General

@TechDesk @caseynewton

Feel like Mastodon did a very good job over the last few days getting out the news and moderating the worst of the disinformation. It is sad that @caseynewton has become such a proponent of Threads. Wondering if open social media is really compatible with influencer journalism, and whether that might have something to do with the preference for a commercial site.

So in addition to cluttering up low earth orbit, wrecking terrestrial astronomy, creating the potential for a Kessler Syndrome cascade which could close access to space, and creating a national security nightmare, Starlink internet access is a climate catastrophe using up to 30 times more carbon footprint per internet subscriber than land based internet.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2394949-starlink-carbon-footprint-up-to-30-times-size-of-land-based-internet/

@aral @strypey @trib @laura @danhon

Excellent video Aral!

Another analogy that you might consider is creative vs. extractive enterprise. In creative enterprise, a product is constructed from materials that cost less than people will pay for it. In extractive enterprise, something of value taken, with the cost being the mining operation. In surveillance capitalism it is the customer base's personal data that is being mined, in an extractive enterprise business model.

#SurveillanceCapitalism

@aral @strypey @trib @laura @danhon

Exactly. How did things get so F'ed up that every single tech product is now designed with two customer groups in mind. Those who will use the product and the F'ing data brokers who will pay for the personal information of those who use the product. In most cases this second group of bloodsuckers is the more important and lucrative customer.

How does "ethical" fit into any part of this design paradigm?

#SurveillanceCapitalism

Just a shout out to an account that has done and continues to do an incredible service here helping people with Mastodon and the Fediverse.

Thank you for your tireless efforts @feditips!!! 👏

#MastoTips

"Daddy, when I grow up I want to be a Data Broker just like you, so I can help people be more effectively targeted by advertising and political persuasion."

Said no kid ever.

#DataPrivacy

Today earth climate scientist Wolfgang Lucht @W_Lucht pens an eloquent farewell to Twitter (https://mstdn.social/@W_Lucht/110814349146209520).

- I'm not a commodity
- the purpose has been lost
- making disinformation mainstream
- Fascism starts slowly
- Join me on mastodon... more engaged, more creative. It's a conversation. I enjoy it, it gives back
- fight for our public spaces

Wolfgang is a brilliant scientist and important contributor to #Climate. He is often found on @ClimateMigration.

#MastodonMigration

#Meta Threads to Launch July 6

Here they come! Whatever this portends, it's time to fortify the Fediverse. If you can afford it, now would be a great time to support your instance.

Go to [instance address]/about, find the donations link, and make your contribution to open social media!

#FortifyTheFediverse