this post was submitted on 03 Dec 2023
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[–] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 218 points 11 months ago (2 children)

It’s amazing how little leverage they have when you stop using their products.

[–] ForgotAboutDre@lemmy.world 81 points 11 months ago (4 children)

More than you think. They are also actively seeking ways to make that leverage effect more people.

They are defining web standards. They control chrome and chromium. So all of the alternative browsers that aren't safari and Firefox are using Google's web engine. Even Firefox and safari are beholden to Google as they fund both these web browsers through their default search deals.

Google after many failed messaging apps has taken on RCS messaging. They provide most of the supporting infrastructure through their Jibe servers. They don't allow anyone but themselves and Samsung to make an RCS app on android. They also had a campaign to pressure apple to use RCS. It's likely apple's RCS will be following Google's Jibe service closely, as they've already said their will work with Google on this. Google successfully got most RCS messages going through their servers, with apple on board with RCS itll see most SMS messages defaulting to RCS and most of those going through Google.

They also have deep hooks into education market with their OneDrive/Google docs products and Chromebooks.

Most privacy focused android alternatives recommend Google hardware.

[–] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 14 points 11 months ago

I use Safari, Firefox, and DuckDuckGo.

[–] clegko@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago

They are defining web standards. They control chrome and chromium. So all of the alternative browsers that aren’t safari and Firefox are using Google’s web engine. Even Firefox and safari are beholden to Google as they fund both these web browsers through their default search deals.

🎶 I think I've seen this film before... 🎶

[–] Eximius@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I haven't used sms for half a decade if not more...

[–] ReveredOxygen@sh.itjust.works 24 points 11 months ago (1 children)

It's the most common way to contact people in the US

[–] Eximius@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I see. In Europe, everyone's on Whatsapp, Telegram or even Signal, nobody uses sms :)

[–] pirat@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I'll call that an incorrect and generalizing statement. The adaptation of these apps differs a lot from country to country, and SMS is definitely not dead yet. Beside people still texting, it's also being used for verification codes, order confirmations, postal tracking notices, scamming, phishing and so much more!

[–] effward@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Most of my personal communication goes through Signal, but I still get a ton of SMS messages.

  • 25% spam
  • 40% scams
  • 30% one time passwords for shitty sites/apps that don't support better 2FA options
  • 5% iPhone users who refuse to install Signal

Real useful stuff...

[–] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 2 points 11 months ago

I wish I could.

I've tried for years to get people over to things like XMPP, which is cross platform since, well, forever.

No dice.

[–] Cannacheques@slrpnk.net 1 points 11 months ago

Agreed we need to quickly move away from this

[–] magic_lobster_party@kbin.social 8 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Don’t worry. They will find ways to force you using their products.

[–] casmael@lemm.ee 9 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Meh I think they might be overestimating their market position if that’s the strategy

[–] magic_lobster_party@kbin.social 11 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

I think they’re in a better position than Microsoft when they tried to make ActiveX and Silverlight a thing. They own the two most visited websites. On top of that, they own the most used web browser and the most used operating system (judged by web use).