[untog]

an act which can be in no way cast as user convenience.

It's very convenient to me. I have both an Android phone and tablet. I've also switched Android phones multiple times- it's been quite gratifying to return to a city I visited three years ago and have it automatically connect to the WiFi hotspots I used back then.

[jusben1369]

Yes. I just upgraded from one Android phone to another. Was resigned to the tedious nightmare of setting up multiple WiFi connections again. This feature is fantastic. Not that that negates privacy issues but it is a massive user convenience.

[gcb0]

You guys can't be serious.

How many APs do you even have to use regularly?

And slightly related, do you have two factor enabled on your email or is that the end of modern life convenience as well?

[untog]

The hotspots I use "regularly" aren't actually the issue- I could certainly remember the passwords for them easily. But over time I've built up a huge network of hotspots that I wouldn't like to lose- that coffee shop I went to a few months ago? That hotel I stayed in last year? It's quite nice to have that just connect automatically.

And you're presenting a false dilemma here. Of course I'd prefer this information be encrypted. I was simply replying to the OP that stated WiFi saving could be in "no way cast as user convenience".

[Karunamon]

>How many APs do you even have to use regularly?

Let's see, I've got a private side and a guest side wifi at home, no less than three at work depending on location, the motel I usually end up booked in for trips, local bars and restaurants.

So i'd say.. probably 10ish in a given month? Sometimes more?

[moultano]

The first time I traveled to my sister's house for Thanksgiving setting up the WiFi on our devices was a several hour ordeal that stressed out the whole family. They aren't used to keeping track of these things. I'm very glad I have never had to do that again through several device upgrades.

[lostlogin]

Do some windows versions still demand that your password fits a set format - length as character type as I recall? Trying to get a (?XP ?Vista) PC onto our until-then Mac only network just about caused its owner a stroke.

[sksksk]

Do you never go to a friend's house and use their wifi?

[gcb0]

honestly, nope. I never had reception issues at a friend's place, but for coffee shops and hotels, even if reception is bad, i rather use 2G than go login in random networks.

i'm already exposed to the phone operator issues, don't want to have to worry about coffee shops and hotels.

...as using those networks is the very reason passwords in plain text is an issue! you guys are just making your situation 10x worse with this convenience.

[jusben1369]

I am serious and please don't call me Shirley.

[brudgers]

That's perhaps a 3rd standard deviation case for backing up WiFi passwords, but not plausibly for harvesting data on all Wifi networks including those in private dwellings.

And collecting data on every network was what I said could not be cast as user convenience, so it appears that my statement has been taken out of context and then strawmanned.

In no event, however, is it a case for storing those passwords as plaintext.