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Dutch governments builds alternative for Microsoft based on NixOS

1021 points · 583 comments · fjfaase

  1. askonomm · · focus · HN ↗
    Any move away from the abusive big tech that exists in USA is a good move in my book. Microsoft just recently made a new patent where they will monitor you via camera and microphone to block your program/game to show you ads, and per ads viewed, you then earn credit to be able to use your program/game. It is absolutely wild to me how a corporation can be so toxic and abusive to its users and still be in business.
    1. DrBazza · · focus · HN ↗
      My pet peeve is changes in 'user agreements' for paid services that add increasing amounts of adverts and tracking, but if you decline, you can't use the service, but the service continues to charge you. For the service they're no longer supplying.

      Just the kind of thing that the EU could regulate if it chose. Decline -> Your subscription will be terminated, no further monies will be debut from your account, are you sure?

      1. mitxela · · focus · HN ↗
        I expect this is already covered by existing regulations but the only enforcement avenue is a lawsuit. They know you won't sue them for $20.
        1. BobbyTables2 · · focus · HN ↗
          I believe that’s why class action lawsuits can serve a purpose…
          1. mitxela · · focus · HN ↗
            In a class action they give $1 to every user they scammed $20 out of, and the lawyers charge $2 per user so you actually get nothing.
            1. bluGill · · focus · HN ↗
              The point of a class action is it isn't worth your while to go after them for $20 - you would win $20 - but then you have to pay your lawyers a million dollars. However if enough people were scammed the lawyers can get their pay, and better yet the cost is high enough that the company is likely to learn a lesson.
              1. mitxela · · focus · HN ↗
                For some reason they always only manage to recover 1% of the money
                1. bluGill · · focus · HN ↗
                  It is still a large enough number that it appears on accounting statements. It is reported to investors. That is there are enough negatives that it gets attention and tends to change behavior
                  1. mitxela · · focus · HN ↗
                    Yes, as a $19 profit per user.
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