If you're on Android, using a firewall app like NetGuard or TrackerControl can block those background processes from phoning home, even if you cant completely uninstall the apps due to work/family.

Its probably "better" to use apps like Hermit (Android) and Friendly Social Browser (iOS) for a more compartmentalized while still retaining a bit of the "proper app" feel if thats helpful to weaning yourself off needing to have every platform's first party app and their inevitable tracking

Easy solution: dont have a Facebook account.

Haven't had an account since 2020. And I don't use the site.

32 billion still is nothing for these scumbags

JAIL MARC ZUCKERBERG ALREADY. That is still what we do with criminals, is it not?

This feels like people should go to prison over it

im wondering, does using uBlock help in any way? can they block metas pixel and thereby protect you?

You’re not affected if (and only if)

You always used the Brave browser or the DuckDuckGo search engine on mobile

I found that odd, but reading the more technical write up (linked in the article) it seems Brave blocks localhost communication.

The Chrome proposal references a single use case. I've never seen a website that sets up my local devices, but is this a new thing?

Why did localhost not get blocked earlier? This seems like a huge hole browsers have ignored for years.

Also the DuckDuckGo exception doesn't make sense to me. Does DuckDuckGo have Facebook trackers on it to begin with? Whatever site DuckDuckGo sends you to, if they have the trackers, you'll get tracked.

Its reliant on running a normie phone and OS, and running the native FB, instagram, or other apps in the Meta constellation. These apps create persistent services that internally backchannel sensitive browser data back to them via internal ports. All browser traffic on devices running these apps should be considered compromised.

The solution is to run Graphene or other de-googled OS and avoid Meta apps like the plague.

Hmmm. That reminds me that I need to check to make sure the router is blocking all Facebook traffic.

Oh, malware I think it's called

I can't see from this article whether "could cost" means there are lawsuits ongoing/pending, or just the author has speculated what the fine could be if there were a lawsuit?

"Could" lol

The more it costs them the better

Despite the fact that this article explains the same thing like 5 times in a row as if I'm an idiot ... uh, damn, Meta. Let me make sure I don't have your apps on my phone.

As if they'd impose maximum penalties, no matter how deserved. But hey, fingers crossed!

And imho the whole issue can be avoided by using mobile websites and/or alternative app front-ends for meta services, if you can't steer clear of them altogether.

And blocking apps from using background data should seal the deal.

Ok, I'm a cranky old nerd. I'll say some silly shit here ...
Nobody should have the Facebook or Instagram apps installed on their phone.
For one thing, those are websites. You don't need the app.
For another, they kill your battery because they are so damn busy spying on you.
Really, there have absolutely always been known privacy issues with those. This whole thing was known well before they proved the exact method

It could cost Meta 32 billion.

US law: "Best I can do is 15 thousand."

Sounds like they can't track people that don't have their app. So, not something I need to worry about.

In real life people think it is weird that I don't use apps; even if this is obvious to us, we are also a bunch of anarchists on a defederated internet forum. Explanations and examples like this will help us protect the normal people who don't think like us (yet).

I'm curious if Meta could do this with their apps, can other apps do something similar?

And how much did they profit off of it..?

I doubt a lot of Lemmy users have got those apps on their phones. Although I am curious about how it would affect people who, say, used Island or similar (leverage the Work profile) to install them as I have seen that suggested in privacy communities before. Would Meta only be able to access other apps installed to that profile - if you had a browser installed in it too for example?

Really curious how Android sandboxing was so easily defeated. Were those ports left open for extensions or something? I need to read up on this exploit. It’s so brazen, but also shouldn’t be possible. 8 years of stolen data. Wild.

Isn't that their revenue for a quarter? If so this is nothing...

I'm so glad I've never installed any of meta's apps and never used any of their services and never will.

I bet they're doing this with WhatsApp too. The "privacy" focussed messenger service. I just wish there was a way to get everyone I know to stop living in it like a fish in water.

They. Don't. Care.

I know it's too much to hope for but 🤞

You’re not affected if (and only if)

• You access Facebook and Instagram via the web, without having the apps installed on your phone

• You browse on desktop computers or use iOS (iPhones)

• You always used the Brave browser or the DuckDuckGo search engine on mobile

Lol, finally some good news