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Gmail serving straight up malware rule (lemmy.ca)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/196@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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(the link is not paid for, nor does it go to, McAfee, it's malware)

Can't wait to fully migrate to Proton.

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[–] [S] 12 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (13 children)

The problem here is they're serving literal malware in their client, and the categorized view is the default, which the average person will use.

I've switched to K9 mail for that account, doesn't matter what the Gmail client does anymore.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago (12 children)

    The problem is...you allowed it. Could have just read and avoided the problem altogether. Again, I'm not thrilled with it, which is exactly why I chose to turn it off. Malware doesn't typically allow you to opt-out.

    And let me know when K9 supports Exchange. Unfortunately, some of us still need to use protocols outside of IMAP and POP.

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  • [–] 15 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    Stop user shaming. You’re attacking an end user instead of attacking the dark pattern. The proper callout is “damn that sucks Gmail shouldn’t be serving ads that look like email btw did you know you can stop using categories to stop getting ads?” When you do things like “you should have known better” you’re completing ignoring the whole “Gmail shouldn’t be serving ads as emails” part.

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  • [–] 8 points 2 years ago* (8 children)

    Look at the bigger picture, the default is what everyone including the elderly, kids, anyone not tech savvy, or anyone that doesn't want to search for the "don't serve me malware" setting for their friggin email.

    The company is still liable if they officially promote dangerous stuff, even if the user could technically avoid it. Take the Panera Charged Lemonade scandal for example. The user shouldn't be forced to tiptoe around the email client itself.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (7 children)

    I mean...the company is an ad company. Didn't think I had to explain to users how they make their money, but apparently everyone needs a "coffee is hot" warning on everything.

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  • [–] 6 points 2 years ago (3 children)

    This isn't "coffee is hot" though. For naive internet users, this is more equivalent to "coffee will give you small pox". You really don't need to defend Google here.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (2 children)

    I just think it's one of the least surprising things I've seen Google do in, just about...ever. AND there's a simple option to remove it. Could probably GOOGLE it, but don't want to be too much of a boot licker. It just seems like such a nothingburger of an issue while the real late-stage capitalism shit is happening all around us. That's all. Don't mean to offend y'all.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    It’s great that it’s obvious to you. It is. Glad you’re protected on the internet. Unfortunately, if you’re arguing with people who are savvy enough to be on the fediverss yet find it confusing, then there are many less savvy people, let’s say older folks, whom Google will be serving malware links. Is this not a problem? It’s their fault for not being, what, born later?

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

    No worries, I get it, it's so much easier to blame the individual rather than accept that everything will get worse and worse due to powerful people and corporations.

    Ultimately we should remember not to lower our standards, because if we're being honest, companies don't care about making ends meet, they care about growth. So a sustainable business that's done growing just isn't enough for them.

    After all, if we excuse these ads in categories, Google might treat that as the go ahead to place ads in general inbox too, or remove the option to get rid if ads. If you give them an inch they will take a mile. But I sincerely get your frustration.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago*

    This isn't about having ads (though that still sucks) this is about again, company endorsed malware.

    If they're gonna shove ads in email, they need to have the quality control to not have misleading and harmful ads placed in there. Again, think of this as the charged lemonade situation, just because the user can technically avoid the risk, doesn't mean they're exempt from reducing the danger they put their users in.

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