[nine_k]

When you use a free but not open product, you are not the customer. This is an old and tired idea, but also true.

If you want features not disappearing or changing when you don't want them to, you need to be in control. I know only two ways to be in control: you either pay (and the agreement contains a provision about the product properties you care about), or manage it yourself.

Using a free-as-in-beer service always puts someone else in control, not you. Bear it in mind every time you register with such a service, and shape your expectations.

[cartoonworld]

Yes, proprietary software is negative in the freedom dimension.

You have to realize that what your saying here is a category error: The libre alternatives don't have billions of dollars of marketing, engineering, market cap and users.

EFF here is trying to point out exactly what you are espousing. These kind of dark patterns are used at all levels to drive engagement, including sign up and retention. ("But ... How will I be able to talk to my friends if I delete Facebook??")

I can't recommend a solution, but "Well, its free, what do you expect?" is even worse.

[nine_k]

Would you prefer to hold private parties somehow liable to follow your convenience or best interest, and not their best interest? Anyone who would suggest that should prepare for this approach to be applied to themselves — that is, being coerced to do what some other people want. Whatever it is, it's not freedom.

(Yes, indeed, the law works by coercion in the common interests. But I don't see any law having been broken here.)

So yes, it's free to play — what did you expect? Too much? Memorize this, and remember next time. Tell your friends and relatives what to not expect. Name and shame the entities which did something unsavory: this helps make users less gullible, and through that, nudges companies to be more careful.

Consider avoiding the use of stuff you don't control for important things. Be conscious when consuming free candy from a for-profit entity, even if you think your interests are currently aligned. But don't force anybody's hand.

[cartoonworld]

>Consider avoiding the use of stuff you don't control for important things. Be conscious when consuming free candy from a for-profit entity, even if you think your interests are currently aligned. But don't force anybody's hand.

This is excellent advice, but it doesn't help all the people who are not even in the same league as this idea, who are just making their way through the landscape using whatever they come across to not get herded further into the vortex of asshole walled gardens.

The value proposition of this to mom or some kid is gonna sound like: "What?"

[nine_k]

I see.

But I hope that both the mom and the kid will understand my comparison to free candy. Some moms even teach their kids to be cautious with that.

[cartoonworld]

I'm sure they can relate, but the good alternative is probably going to involve thinking about something. Just consider how many people can't stop clicking phishing emails.

Our society has really turned the screws up wrt attention, it's pretty taxing just living life sometimes. I hate to get all "hoi polloi", but I mean people are out there that are sure Sars-CoV-2 vaccines render them magnetic.