by "Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
Published 03/23/2017 at 17:24
by "Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
Published 03/23/2017 at 17:24
Tags: Doublethink Doublespeak
; Doubleplus Ungood
STARS: 41
Our fearless Kinja tech guru, Ernie, has chimed in on this post to provide some clarification. Major takeaway: the concerns I list below are things which have remained unchanged in the terms of use since February 2013. That includes age requirements and data collection policies. BUT! Questions remain! Read on...
Ernie was kind enough to link to an explainer that details the two minor changes which have been included in this most recent TOU update, which basically amount to adding “Stripe to process commerce payments,” and updating email suffixes from “@gawker.com” to “@gizmodomedia.com.”
And, indeed, besides those two changes, the language in both the TOU and the privacy policy remain unchanged in regards to the sections I highlighted below. I couldn’t find a TOU dated earlier than 2016, however. And the earliest privacy policy I found (admittedly, in a very cursory search), is dated Feb. 11, 2015 .
So what questions still remain? Well, again, it’s still the issue of IP address data collection and retention. Even in that earlier version of the privacy policy, the language states, “We do not, however, collect IP addresses or log IP address information.”
That appears to conflict with what’s written in the earliest still-available TOU, from Sept. 16, 2016 , which states, “The Company may log all internet protocol addresses accessing the Services and other information about users’ access, and maintain backup copies of content indefinitely.”
All these previous versions of the TOU and privacy policy were published in the still firmly Nick Denton-owned Gawker Media Group days. They were published when Gizmodo’s Annalee Newitz was asserting that GMG didn’t log IP addresses, by design.
And they were published when Josh Laurito, who worked for Gawker’s data team (now Fusion Media Group), published the following from a slide show presentation he delivered at a summit in Chicago: “Finally we consciously avoid storing ‘grey-area’ data like IP addresses, which may not directly lead to identifiable information but can be a key part in tracking identity online.”
It begs the questions: what was really happening when Denton was at the helm? And which of the conflicting statements was/is true?
Original (March 22, 2017, 12:48 p.m.):
As I’m sure everyone has seen by now, kinja is updating both their
terms of use
(TOU) and their privacy policy. I was giving the TOU a quick glance and a few things stuck out to me right away, including new rules that no kids are allowed and your identity is no longer safe.
According to the revised terms of use (TOU):
GMG requires an individual to be at least eighteen (18) years old...
Not only that, but they’re also kind of asking people to report minor users:
If you would like to report an account registered for a minor, please email help [at] gizmodomedia [dot] com.
That’s a fair bit of bullshit considering a lot of Oppos got their starts here while they were still in high school. And I know we’ve got a few users who are still in school.
Another big change (though, I think this one was actually announced during the last TOU update, but I can’t remember) is Gizmodo Media Group’s (GMG — formerly Gawker Media Group) policy on logging IP addresses.
Currently, the new policy reads thusly:
Our servers automatically record information (“Log Data”) created by your use of the Services. Log Data may include information such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, the referring web page, pages visited, location, your mobile carrier, device and application IDs, search terms, and cookie information.
Before, the non-collection of IP addresses was a point of pride at old-GMG. This was Analee Newitz speaking on behalf of GMG in mid-2015:
Here at Gizmodo — indeed, at all the sites owned by Gawker Media — it’s our policy not to log your IP address when you visit our sites or make a comment. As long as you use a burner account, nobody will ever know who you are or where you come from. If you log in with Google or Facebook ... we still don’t have your data, but we can’t control what those companies do with it.
That came in response to a story she was covering about a subpoena issued to the publication, Reason , compelling them to turn over information on anonymous commenters who frequented their site.
Here’s perhaps the most concerning part. While it’s true that most places you visit online will collect IP address info and other data, many have policies in place to periodically remove that information. Some will even remove that information at your request. Nu-GMG, on the other hand? They’re now pledging to keep it forever. To wit (emphasis mine):
The Company may log all internet protocol addresses accessing the Services and other information about users’ access, and maintain backup copies of content indefinitely.
Now, if you still want to access a GMG property but you want to protect yourself, tough cookies because that’s not allowed either:
... your User Contributed Content shall be lawful and will not:
...
disguise the source of your User Contributed Content or other information you submit to the Service;
And you are also responsible for any consequences if your use of kinja includes:
... tools which anonymize your internet protocol address (e.g. anonymous proxy) to access the Service;
I mean, I know people are still going to use proxies anyway, and kids are still going to use kinja. But the changes to their data collection policies are still discomforting.
Top image from here .
"Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To" (murdersofa)
03/22/2017 at 12:52, STARS: 4
The “no users under 18" makes sense as adult content is frequently posted on GMG websites and they’re most likely doing it out of liability. The IP logging is some horse crap, though, as I’m fairly certain in the past there have been individuals posting to GMG sites that would have had their security compromised highly by GMG knowing/recording their IP address.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
03/22/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 9
This is a load of bullshit. What the hell are they actually trying to accomplish here.
I’d swear off it but Oppo’s got me with a ball and chain.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
03/22/2017 at 12:59, STARS: 3
I was browsing though the policies this morning but thank you for diving deeply into them. Most of the stuff doesn’t worry too much, as honestly most places have hidden policies about being legal age...as you said it would really stop anyone and its very unlikely they will use it against someone. They certainly can’t ID your age as per the policy as far as I can work out.
“... your User Contributed Content shall be lawful and will not:
...
disguise the source of your User Contributed Content or other information you submit to the Service;”
I don’t quite get this, but it sounds more like the content you post, not the way you post it. i.e. you can’t post illegal stuff OR post stuff while intentionally obscuring the source of your material (i.e. removing copyrighted protections or metadata).
The use of Proxies as a no-no is pretty clear though. It wont affect me unduly but I can see how it might be a problem for some.
"Viggen" (viggen37)
03/22/2017 at 13:02, STARS: 2
Considering the stuff that gets posted and cross posted on the front pages, plus with how easy it is to accidentally click on the drop down bar, I can understand the no minors rule. That said, it is something that will hurt Oppo, considering our age group is from high schoolers to retirees.
"jimz" (jimz)
03/22/2017 at 13:07, STARS: 8
“What the hell are they actually trying to accomplish here.”
covering their own asses.
"SOCdriver" (socdriver)
03/22/2017 at 13:07, STARS: 1
Welp there goes all my insider information about SoCal auto companies I have connections too. FUCK.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
03/22/2017 at 13:14, STARS: 4
One thing to lay out how the content is your responsibility.
Another to harvest data and not allow proxies that would get in the way of that data harvesting.
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
03/22/2017 at 13:17, STARS: 0
I think that the minors thing was already in place. Maybe I’m wrong?
"k2b: da man trynta steal mah bloggy!!!!!!!" (k2b)
03/22/2017 at 13:21, STARS: 7
Okay, so...
In order to become a “Registered User” (by creating an account), GMG requires an individual to be at least eighteen (18) years old and not have a previous account terminated by GMG or otherwise have had his or her access to the Services terminated by GMG.
How many folks here have been subjected to the capricious banhammering of Gawkerverse - er, Gizoverse authors and subsequently created a new account? I’m guessing a significant enough amount to be worried by this. I mean, I would certainly hope the fuckers
at least
get some damned grown up professional moderation if they’re going to implement a “you can’t ever be a user again if we squash you” policy. Otherwise we may be at the eternal mercy of some rando guest author’s fee-fees.
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/22/2017 at 13:24, STARS: 5
Getting banned from a main page is one thing, but how many of those users have actually had their entire accounts completely wiped from the system? My guess is not that many, even of repeat offenders. I think that new rule might be applying to that, and not just people who have been banned from commenting on the verticals but whose accounts are still active otherwise (such as here on the sub blogs).
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
03/22/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 4
"Conan" (ske1n)
03/22/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 1
While we haven’t always had the best discourse I absolutely appreciate you sharing this. Thank you.
"jimz" (jimz)
03/22/2017 at 13:27, STARS: 4
heh. it is a bit grating when I have some kid here tell me (a guy who’s worked in the industry for almost two decades) that I “need to learn a thing or two about cars.”
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/22/2017 at 13:27, STARS: 1
Thank you for the backhanded compliment. I absolutely appreciate you sharing it.
"wkiernan" (wkiernan)
03/22/2017 at 13:30, STARS: 3
Oh goddamit. I’m only twelve. Well, bye y’all!
"CRider" (crider)
03/22/2017 at 13:30, STARS: 14
"wkiernan" (wkiernan)
03/22/2017 at 13:31, STARS: 1
Yeah, why ever would GawkerCo want to dot their legal
i
s and cross their legal
t
s?
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/22/2017 at 13:32, STARS: 5
Pffft. Everyone knows you’re not a dog, Rider, you’re nothing but an endless layer of motorcycle riding gear. Peel off one layer and all you’ll find is another set of gear beneath it.
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/22/2017 at 13:33, STARS: 1
But... maybe you do?
(kidding).
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
03/22/2017 at 13:38, STARS: 1
See my reply to JimZ. It’s one thing if they want to put in place disclaimers and the like, another to deliberately gather your information and prevent you from protecting your privacy.
"k2b: da man trynta steal mah bloggy!!!!!!!" (k2b)
03/22/2017 at 13:40, STARS: 6
IF the system works right. I mean, as it stands I can’t log in to the main pages from Firefox at work right now, because apparently their cookie system is too buggy to recognize me across the Kinjaverse. They need to make sure that any button they push does exactly and only what they mean to do with it before they start slinging permanent record shit at us. Plus, having the authors wield the banhammer has ever been a stupid, stupid fucking plan.
"gerbilsoutofexile" (gerbilsoutofexilefinally)
03/22/2017 at 13:48, STARS: 12
I have to wonder what this means for someone like me, who had a stalker here for four years. This is a man with a long record and an insane fixation on me, and the reason I have to leave GM for periods of time. He has doxxed me and my family, threatened me and my family, and posts using my husband’s and son’s real names as his username to intimidate me. This is someone who is familiar to the team here, and they help whenever possible, but I have to wonder if having his IP address could help them permanently rid this place of vermin like him. He’s watching this right now, and screen grabs everything I post, from all those years back, and use them to threaten and attempt to intimidate me. He’s a very pathetic little man, but damn would it be nice to get rid of him once and for all.
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/22/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 2
Jesus. I’m so sorry you’ve had to experience that for so long, and that you’re still experiencing it.
I’ve been threatened with doxxing on a few occasions, along with other incidents of harassment, but nothing on quite the same scale as you. Luckily, the tech team here has always been really supportive and amazing. That’s one of the reasons so many people stick around, I think. Kinja tech is a unique thing online.
While I think these changes could be welcome ones for curtailing harassment and stalking I still worry about privacy protections for people who AREN’T being assholes. It’s a line every company has to figure out how to balance. Going from the one extreme of “we collect nothing” to the other of “we are collecting everything and keeping it forever,” however, is not the answer, IMO.
"wkiernan" (wkiernan)
03/22/2017 at 13:56, STARS: 0
I’m not even sure, after reading this paragraph:
The Company reserves the right to reveal your identity (or whatever information we know about you) in the event of a complaint or legal action arising from any message or other content posted by you or where such information is otherwise relevant. The Company may log all internet protocol addresses accessing the Services and other information about users’ access, and maintain backup copies of content indefinitely.
that GawkerCo stores IP addresses indefinitely. Are IP addresses “content”? Not that I myself care, but I am kind of curious regarding other users, who might be inclined to post stuff untraceably.
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
03/22/2017 at 14:05, STARS: 8
but what could go wrong with kinja?
*has to sign back into account*
"Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)" (6speedhaven)
03/22/2017 at 14:06, STARS: 0
dats scary
"Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
03/22/2017 at 14:29, STARS: 3
My first thought with this was KDS/MOE. He was not just greyed but banned from Jalopnik proper. That’s how MOE came around.
I guess some positive side would be less flat out jerks and trolls
"FrankN.Stein" (franknstein)
03/22/2017 at 14:36, STARS: 5
"Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
03/22/2017 at 14:39, STARS: 2
I guess they don’t care about getting leaked information anymore. Who wants to share confidential info like car pics before a release or busting companies/governments doing illegal shit if they know GMG will just roll over?
Also, good thing Diaz isn’t around anymore. He banned anyone that wasn’t a brown noser no his garbage. When that douche canoe was running sploid my comments always disappeared along with many others.
"gerbilsoutofexile" (gerbilsoutofexilefinally)
03/22/2017 at 14:40, STARS: 3
Thanks, and it has been harrowing at times. I actually talked to local police, because of the threats, and they told me that if he continued, because I do have his name and record, would possibly have to contact the FBI. He now knows where my son is attending college, which is yet another implied threat.
I absolutely understand how everyone wants privacy and confidentiality. The tech team here has been great when I contact them with his latest stalking. I guess I just wish there was some way to balance the two.
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 14:48, STARS: 23
Thanks for posting and interpreting this, xylo. I take it to mean GMG has completely given up on Denton’s fantasy of “An anonymous personal assistant can use a burner to leave a comment revealing that Steve Bannon has an underground bunker stocked with Nazi regalia” or whatever.
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/22/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 6
Hey BP! It kinda looks that way. Or at least, under Univision, they’re looking to move towards more established methods for acquiring leaked data (which some authors list how to do in their bios at the end of their posts). I don’t think old Gawker Media ever received a credible leak of any substantial nature via a burner comment, but I could be wrong.
And this is only a brief analysis based on a very quick reading of the TOS. I’d need to look at it again to really parse through it. I haven’t looked at the privacy policy at all, yet. Maybe tomorrow afternoon when work slows down...
Btw, I’ve followed you for Oppo so you won’t be grey anymore. Welcome! ^_^
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 15:09, STARS: 1
Hey thanks for that! And I even have a car question, though I realize this is the wrong post for it. But anyway, just for the hell of it, the question is:
You know those portable units they sell that plug into the cigarette lighter and have a tube and gauge you can use to inflate a tire in an emergency? My mom gave me one once, and it more or less failed on first try. I looked them up on amazon and most have pretty lousy reviews. Are there any that are actually trustworthy?
(Feel free to move this anywhere else it might work better.)
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/22/2017 at 15:10, STARS: 2
I’ll share it to the Oppo FP so others can chime in, because I don’t have a clue on this one. I’ve never used one of those.
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 15:12, STARS: 0
Thanks! Here’s a typical example:
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
03/22/2017 at 15:16, STARS: 1
most of them are meh, but they really are emergency only. there are a few in the $50 range with metal bodies that are actually quite good (had one for 3 years, starting to leak. time to replace)
this is the one I have
"Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
03/22/2017 at 15:16, STARS: 1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MZWTSM
I have this. It’s irritating, because you have to unscrew it and it loses air in the process, so you have to overinflate by 1-2 PSI, but it’s worked fine for two years.
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 15:19, STARS: 1
Oh nice. Thanks for the testimony; appreciate it.
"Eris Discord" (sumofalln00bs)
03/22/2017 at 15:19, STARS: 2
My sense of humour is that of a minor.
Will they ban my sense of humour?
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
03/22/2017 at 15:19, STARS: 2
Get a superflow, they are on the cheaper end but fairly well made. Avoid anything with mutlifunction like a light or other crap. Avoid anything plastic. You can find them at home depot, oriely or other. I have their MV50 and use it regularly and its been pretty reliable.
http://www.superflowair.com/compressors/
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 15:20, STARS: 0
Thanks; I’ll keep the price point in mind. I think the one I got was in the $20 range and came from the AAA catalogue, so it was probably doomed.
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 15:22, STARS: 0
Good to know about the metal-vs.-plastic thing; mine was plastic. Thanks for the brand recommendation.
"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
03/22/2017 at 15:24, STARS: 1
As others have been saying, a metal body is a good starting point. 12V compressor with low output from a 12V standard socket means slow inflation, so a tire that’s off the bead or otherwise in trouble you won’t be able to get ahead of, and regardless the dinky compressor will be running for a long time.
Plastic sheathing or a plastic pump are a bad idea because of heat, because of run time, even leaving out fragility. Few baby 12V compressors are going to have oil, instead having teflon seals, and getting a weak cylinder with weak teflon seals run by a weak motor hot is a very bad thing for lifespan.
"SpeedSix" (speedsix)
03/22/2017 at 15:25, STARS: 3
Here I’ll thank you both for behaving in a civil manner. While I don’t know the manner and situation of your (occasional? frequent?) disagreements, I appreciate that both of you recognize that disagreements can be handled respectfully, and belong only where they started - that’s a trait that’s increasingly uncommon on the Internet.
"facw" (facw)
03/22/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 0
I’ve had this one for years, and it works fine: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-12v-portable-inflator-w-digital-tire-pressure/p-02875114000P
The gauge is detachable, but uses button-cell batteries which died ages ago and I haven’t bothered to replace (it doesn’t need the batteries when plugged into the cigarette lighter).
"SpeedSix" (speedsix)
03/22/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 0
As far as I’m aware, up to perhaps two years ago, the only thing I had noticed about minors was that they couldn’t enter official Gawker/Gizmodo contests.
I’m not a frequent contributor/participant here though, so I could be wrong.
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 15:27, STARS: 0
Interesting. I didn’t get around to using my cheapo plastic one till maybe 5 years after I got it, so the lifespan was probably nil by then.
"KateFromIowa" (katefromiowa)
03/22/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 2
Well, no more weekend visits. I could give a shit if they have my office computer info, that belongs to SF anyway, but they don’t need to know any single fucking thing about how I use my damned phone.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
03/22/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 1
Yes. Get a ViAir compressor, 12 volt, clips to the battery terminals.
"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
03/22/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 1
Even this dinky little Cabela’s option would likely run fine under those circumstances:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Q-Industries-Air-Compressor/2327857.uts?productVariantId=4760097
Just not something like yours. Too much gimmick, not enough go.
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 15:31, STARS: 0
Nice! Appreciate the reccomendation, facw.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
03/22/2017 at 15:32, STARS: 1
Thats actually a great price for the MV35.
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 15:33, STARS: 0
Yeah, mine was a gimmicky thing, almost like it was made to be a gift, rather than a dependable tool.
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 0
That sounds like it’d work faster than the lighter scenario.
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
03/22/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 6
you know, I’m willing to be that 99% of ppl in other areas go: mm...I have car issues. where is Xylo, if she cant help, then she can share to the crazy asshole over on Oppo”
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
03/22/2017 at 15:38, STARS: 1
Going through the cig lighter significantly limits your power consumption because of the lightweight wiring and tiny cig lighter fuse. Skip it, go straight to a battery terminal clip on. If nothing else, this is my best advice.
I regularly use a viair to reinflate my tires. The gauge isn’t always accurate, but the compressor works very well.
"a_blackpanther" (a_blackpanther)
03/22/2017 at 15:51, STARS: 2
Sadly, this is standard TOS across the web.
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 15:51, STARS: 1
I hadn’t thought of that (the limits), but it makes total sense. Thanks for the good advice.
"a_blackpanther" (a_blackpanther)
03/22/2017 at 15:53, STARS: 1
What they’re saying is that they can ban you for using a proxy or something like that, and it’ll be your fault you lost your account. They can’t actually stop you from using one.
"a_blackpanther" (a_blackpanther)
03/22/2017 at 15:59, STARS: 3
No one has ever lied about their age on the internet.
"a_blackpanther" (a_blackpanther)
03/22/2017 at 16:02, STARS: 5
Thank you for going through these and highlighting the changes. I was debating whether I wanted to read the legalese, because let’s face it, I’m probably still gonna be using kinja.
Maybe if we talk to the editors they’ll change that “indefinitely” policy?
"Viggen" (viggen37)
03/22/2017 at 16:05, STARS: 0
Not saying it doesn’t and won’t happen
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/22/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 4
I try to be helpful. A loud, outspoken, PITA helpful kinjateer. :D
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 16:46, STARS: 1
I got a ton of great advice already. Thanks!
"wkiernan" (wkiernan)
03/22/2017 at 16:46, STARS: 1
I’ve got two of those. I’ve been using the older one for 15 years. The cigarette lighter plug is broken (I stepped on it one night) but it still works, you just have to fiddle with the plug. The newer one is about six years old and the other day it just failed. I think it’s got a blown fuse in it; I just haven’t gotten around to looking at it. At any rate, they’re cheap, I only paid about $20 for either of them.
When my daughters got cars the first thing I got for them was a “new car package,” consisting of jumper cables, a gas can, a tire gauge, an X-shaped tire iron, and one of those air pumps. I recommend them to everybody because you can check and adjust your pressure every couple of weeks, and that makes a big difference in your ride quality and safety, particularly in my daughters’s FWD Corollas. Miatas are also quite sensitive to under- or over-inflated tires. (
As are BMW M4s!
)
One thing I’ve found out is that if your battery is a bit weak, you should turn the car on and have the alternator going when you use the pump; you can actually run your battery down far enough that it won’t start the car with one of those air pumps, they draw a ton of current.
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 16:49, STARS: 0
...you can actually run your battery down far enough that it won’t start the car with one of those air pumps, they draw a ton of current.
Didn’t know that; thanks wkiernan. Good to know.
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/22/2017 at 16:51, STARS: 2
Oppo is nothing if not informative. :)
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 17:09, STARS: 5
...a lot of Oppos got their starts here while they were still in high school. And I know we’ve got a few users who are still in school.
Same at CLT (and its “Crosstalk” predecessor). The Maine Event started commenting while in high school, and possibly Deadly as well.
"Pontifex (G/O Fuck yourself, Spanfe||er)" (pontifex)
03/22/2017 at 17:10, STARS: 2
I’m going to keep using Ninja on my VPN and anyone who says otherwise can fuck right off.
"wkiernan" (wkiernan)
03/22/2017 at 17:14, STARS: 2
Tell us who he is! I’m sure we’d all be interested in following him around and offering helpful and incisive commentary on his posts.
"EisenBolan, SJW" (eisenbolan)
03/22/2017 at 17:15, STARS: 2
How precisely would they know if a minor posts or not? Its not like buying booze where you must show id.
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/22/2017 at 17:27, STARS: 2
Yeah. In its heyday, GT had a few high schoolers, as well. Now, I think everyone is over 18. Oppo is the last bit of kinja left where I think there’s a significant number of users who are in high school today.
Maybe Kotaku and TAY do, too, but I never venture over yonder.
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
03/22/2017 at 17:49, STARS: 0
Definitely a real and frustrating change, but no one should be surprised that any company doing business on the internet only cares about getting our information so they can sell it to whoever’s willing to pay for it.
If you’re getting something for free, more often than not you are what’s for sale.
"Patti LaBelle's Pie Recipe" (pattilabellespierecipe)
03/22/2017 at 17:58, STARS: 0
Monetizing your info.
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
03/22/2017 at 18:11, STARS: 1
I have a generic cheap one I bought from Walgreen’s. Bought it 3 years ago and it still works absolutely fantastic!
Sure, it takes like 3 minutes to move the needle from 25 psi to 45 psi but I’m usually going other things while I’m waiting anyway.
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/22/2017 at 18:17, STARS: 0
Thanks, and I agree: time to inflate is the least of my worries.
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
03/22/2017 at 18:22, STARS: 5
Thanks for the awesome heads up Xyl0!!!! :)
So, if they’re going to be tracking every user’s data and the whole “anonymous tips” fantasy is now functionally dead, are we actually going to get some real moderation tools now?
I hate the fact that even if one of Oppo’s awesome mods gives someone the banhammer, they can just create a burner and still harass me all over the Gawkerverse. At numerous points in 2015 and 2016 I had to just call Kinja quits because the mountain of burners that stalked me. A few of them somehow found out some of my personal accounts and attacked me there too (I’ve since locked down my stuff like a military fort, but still).
A few of them still do it today too. One of them is someone who is still impersonating the real “Dusty Ventures” Kinja user on other sites. They and a few other burners stop in from time to time.
It seems a little pointless to have gimped moderation like that. At other forums I frequent, they have IP banning functions. You be a jerk to someone, every IP you’ve used while logged in is now banned.
"gerbilsoutofexile" (gerbilsoutofexilefinally)
03/22/2017 at 18:52, STARS: 0
I never see him post using his name anymore. His sickness seems to extend more to following me around and implying threats now. Although, I know he posts extensively using burners, which makes him hard to catch up to. I know he’s here because he’ll star my comment using someone in my family’s actual name, or mine, just to let me know he’s watching me and is still obsessed. He’s a disturbed man. If there was a way to pm you, I would.
"k2b: da man trynta steal mah bloggy!!!!!!!" (k2b)
03/22/2017 at 19:04, STARS: 2
I would hope so, but history does not give me faith in the judgment of those in charge.
"Shamoononon drives like a farmer" (shamoononon)
03/22/2017 at 19:07, STARS: 1
Ha ha, these fools. Remember when they got hacked and the information about a subset of their users was released? One of those users was me. So during their next hack not only will your accounts name, email address and passwords be released, but so will you ip address, browsing history, bank account, etc, etc.
"Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
03/22/2017 at 19:11, STARS: 2
Well, Diaz used to banhammer anyone who didn’t praise his work as god-like. He’s the only gawker/Giz employee to ever be banned (temporarily) from commenting because he was being such a dick. When he stopped doing stuff for giz except sploid he’d dismiss/block anyone who called him out on placing “sploid” on other’s work and giving them no credit. I think someone(s) took legal action against them because they stopped doing it and started giving credit to the creators. I don’t think he’s with GMG anymore.
"k2b: da man trynta steal mah bloggy!!!!!!!" (k2b)
03/22/2017 at 19:12, STARS: 1
Nothing. Nothing at all, my friend.
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
And perhaps now 500% more apropos...
"mwittier" (mwittier)
03/22/2017 at 19:21, STARS: 3
[armpit fart noise]
Huh?
"k2b: da man trynta steal mah bloggy!!!!!!!" (k2b)
03/22/2017 at 19:21, STARS: 1
Wow, that kinda sucks. I mean, it’s not surprising given the culture of unrepentant egomania Denton cultivated but still. Damn.
"Cherith Cutestory" (mcwhadden)
03/22/2017 at 19:56, STARS: 1
The age thing is really weird. I totally get putting an age limit on it. But isn’t 13 or so the norm? Not 18.
I don’t like the privacy changes but, honestly, I think their servers were always saving that information. Not nefariously but nobody ever seemed to know how kinja actually worked. When they say they automatically do it I think it’s updating the policy to reflect reality. (Not that that explains the other things you mentioned, like indefinite copies, nor is it intended to.)
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/22/2017 at 21:21, STARS: 2
Many of his various iterations have also been banned from Oppo, as well. He’s a persistent one, that’s for sure.
"hielo" (hielo)
03/22/2017 at 21:27, STARS: 1
This is stupid. How do i erase my account?
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/22/2017 at 21:28, STARS: 2
Therein lies the rub.
"Venus Wings" (venuswings)
03/23/2017 at 01:53, STARS: 0
Over a year ago, the user named Digbette ip hacked a bunch of Kinja people. She got into their computers, stole private information and monies. As a result, there are a few pending lawsuits and she is now a fugitive of the law hiding in rural Australia. Everyone knows about it including the Kinja mods, but we all act like we don’t. After this incident, Kinja had no choice but to start collecting ip’s.
"The Maine Event" (rdsoxfan_44)
03/23/2017 at 02:58, STARS: 1
The new TOU are bullshit. And unless they’re gonna start posting porn, I don’t really see the need for it.
"TheBimmerGuyWhoNowOwnsAChevy" (thebimmerguy)
03/23/2017 at 03:11, STARS: 1
GMG requires an individual to be at least eighteen (18) years old...
Well it looks like I’ll be inactive till next February, or not, I complain like an older person so I’m sure I’ll be fine.
"brotherparish" (brotherparish)
03/23/2017 at 06:07, STARS: 0
I wish they’d be honest about why they’re really doing it. “
In order to stay up to date with the latest Services offered by Kinja...
” means nothing, and sounds like they’re hiding something.
"Vaginafication Nation" (beaverontheheath)
03/23/2017 at 07:10, STARS: 0
Umm..
I’m pretty sure everything we are typing is being archived indefinitely for perusal at a later date already. (Just assume it is.)
Or is this about our anonymity? Cuz it seems (to me) to be about GMG being able to call a person out on violation of terms in case of a letigious setting.
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
03/23/2017 at 08:41, STARS: 1
Had a factory one in the Cruze that worked well. Call a junkyard and see if they have one.
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
03/23/2017 at 08:47, STARS: 2
I bought an OTA antenna off of a link! I did my part!
Plus I had a COTD on jalopnik. #contentcreator
"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
03/23/2017 at 08:56, STARS: 0
[golf clap]
"JustPassingThrough" (JustPassingThrough)
03/23/2017 at 09:29, STARS: 1
Thanks for this info!
I have a question as someone who is techno illiterate:
What does it mean that you are also responsible for any consequences if your use of kinja includes “...tools which anonymize your internet protocol address (e.g. anonymous proxy) to access the Service”?
These changes make me think of using a VPN to access Gawkermodo sites. But, it seems VPNs aren’t allowed now? And if we use it, Gawkermodo can do what exactly? I guess cancel our usernames/accounts, but that’s not really so much of a worry to me.
I’m just trying to understand. I appreciate that you took the time to detail all of this for us. :)
"Ernie @ Kinja" (ernie)
03/23/2017 at 10:33, STARS: 6
Hi XylO. The only items this Terms of Use update changes are:
The addition of Stripe to process commerce payments in platform
Changing contact email from @gawker.com to @gizmodomedia.com
You can see the full list of changes here . Note that the new Terms of Use have not gone into effect yet, and you can review the current Terms of Use here . Every concern you raise about the March 24th ToU update is stated exactly the same way in the current ToU, which has been in effect since the Gawker/Denton days of February 2013.
I’d appreciate if you could update the post for clarification!
"re-hs" (re-hs)
03/23/2017 at 10:36, STARS: 0
I’m curious as to how they will enforce the age rule. If someone informs on an underage user will the burden of proof be on the accusor or the accused? What sort of proof would you need? If this turns into a FB real names submit your ID situation I’ m out.
"Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again." (sir-stig)
03/23/2017 at 12:49, STARS: 0
I still don’t get WTF moe was.