this post was submitted on 30 Mar 2025
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Enshittification

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What is enshittification?

The phenomenon of online platforms gradually degrading the quality of their services, often by promoting advertisements and sponsored content, in order to increase profits. (Cory Doctorow, 2022, extracted from Wikitionary) source

The lifecycle of Big Internet

We discuss how predatory big tech platforms live and die by luring people in and then decaying for profit.

Embrace, extend and extinguish

We also discuss how naturally open technologies like the Fediverse can be susceptible to corporate takeovers, rugpulls and subsequent enshittification.

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"I asked them to delete my data, they said 'Install our app'" (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by wolfyvegan@slrpnk.net to c/enshittification@lemmy.world
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/7204240

A few days ago I sent a GDPR request to some company to delete my personal data. They said to install their app and send a ticket from the app. The email was sent from the email address to which the account is registered. Is this even legal?

"Good day,

Thank you for contacting us regarding the deletion of your account.

Please contact us in the application to delete your account and verify your information.

If you have any further questions, we are at your disposal."

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[–] Karyoplasma@discuss.tchncs.de 88 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

They've requested you messaging them in-app to verify the account identity (they are allowed to do that). Tell them that you sent your GDPR request from the same email you registered the account with and that should be enough, since an in-app message is basically just an email verification. If they don't comply, file a complaint.

[–] jonathan@lemmy.zip 48 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Ask them who their nominated data controller is, then email that person. It's worked very well for me in the past, like they automatically flagged them for the words "data controller".

[–] hikaru755@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I think you're talking about the "data protection officer", not "data controller". The first one is a designated person within the company, the second one the company itself (at least for B2C software companies, usually)

But also, be aware they might not have a BPO, depending on company size they might not need one

[–] jonathan@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 week ago

Yes, that's the one.

[–] Taser@lemmy.dbzer0.com 35 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Pretty ~~crap~~ crappy, if true.

You're allowed to out the company, ya know, "name and shame?"

As of right now this is fanfic.

[–] TheFriar@lemm.ee 31 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Name and shame then. Who is doing this?

[–] PolydoreSmith@lemmy.world 16 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Yeah, why censor the name in the first place? Makes it seem fake imo

[–] MrQuallzin@lemmy.world 18 points 1 week ago

Tell them you no longer have a smart phone

[–] randombullet@programming.dev 15 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Just do something to get banned ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ

[–] Railcar8095@lemm.ee 44 points 1 week ago

They will just kick you out, not remove your data.

Source: I tried that with homeland security

[–] jagged_circle@feddit.nl 14 points 1 week ago

That's illegal. Contact the authorities.

[–] EtnaAtsume@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago

"We are at your disposal."

"If you were, I would."

[–] Iheartcheese@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Greetings

[–] LemUrun@pawb.social 1 points 1 week ago

Indeed a 💩 moment