Your computer should say what you tell it to say (eff.org)

Article summary

Google is proposing a new technology called Web Environment Integrity (WEI) that would allow websites to request and verify information about a user's device and browser, potentially reducing ad fraud and improving security. However, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) argues that this technology could be used to compromise user autonomy and privacy, and could lead to websites blocking access to users who don't meet certain criteria. The EFF is concerned that WEI could be used to create a more closed and controlled internet, where users have less freedom to choose how they interact with websites. The proposal has sparked debate about the balance between security, privacy, and user autonomy online.

Main themes

• user autonomy
• privacy
• security
• ad fraud
• internet freedom
• corporate control

What commenters say

• The EFF is a rare organization that speaks truth to power and defends user autonomy, but other organizations like the ACLU have become less effective.
• WEI is not a significant threat to user autonomy and will not be widely adopted without Apple's support.
• The proposal could lead to a more closed internet where websites can dictate what browsers and devices are allowed to access their content.
• The technology has the potential to prevent ad fraud and improve security, but it also raises concerns about user privacy and autonomy.
• The issue is not just about WEI, but about the broader trend of corporations controlling the internet and restricting user freedom.
• Some argue that the benefits of WEI, such as reducing ad fraud, outweigh the potential risks to user autonomy.
• Others believe that the proposal is a slippery slope towards a more controlled and surveillance-based internet.
• There are concerns that Google's implementation of WEI could lead to the company exerting more control over the internet and restricting user choice.