Saw this today and now I’m reconsidering if Boost is right for me. I’m really hoping this is shitty boiler plate that was accidentally copied and over looked because that is some bullshit to say “unless we decide we want to use your personal data for whatever we want”.
I know “legitimate interest” is a phrase from the cookies law but there is no legitimate interest justification for this. My data is my data and I decide who has a legitimate interest in it so advertisers can fuck off, as can Boost if this the direction it’s going.
Edit to say this blew up. I didn’t realise I was kicking as big a hornet’s nest and haven’t read all the comments yet.
To be clear, what I don’t like about this and other provisions in the terms is the language and implications around data use. I’ve no problem with ads being shown - I want developers to get paid for the work they do and that makes it possible for users to have “free” access to software if they can’t afford to purchase.
I also want to add the response from Boost’s dev below to make sure it’s visible. You’ll see that it is boilerplate but required by Google and was present in Boost for reddit. I just hadn’t seen it because I purchased it immediately based on a recommendation. It doesn’t make me happy about it but does remove some doubts I was having about the direction Boost is heading.
I will be purchasing the app to support the dev because I do like Boost but I understand not everyone can afford everything so you’ll see some other suggestions in the comments below that don’t have any ads if you’re not happy with the free version and ads with their associated loss of data privacy.
Dev here.
The dialog and its content is not created by me, it is a standard solution from Google to comply with GDPR and other laws. More info here: https://support.google.com/admob/answer/10114014?hl=en
The consent dialog is also required by Google AdMob to show ads, and it is shown when the ad network is initialized.
When the app launches, first it checks for the remove ads purchase, and if it is not present, it will initialize the ads sdk. The ad network is not initialized if the remove ads purchase is detected.
Boost for Reddit was using the very same ad networks and consent dialog.
and another reminder that other apps exist. Don’t get your panties in a bunch because a developer thinks his time is worth something, rightly so.
You hate Boost? Download something else. Personally I prefer an app by a developer who has many years experience making a Reddit app. The free and FOSS apps are fine, but they are all missing stuff and rough around the edges.
Then again, Lemmy attacks anyone who says they like, or require windows, and calls them names on how they should use Linux, despite drivers/programs they rely on not being available on Linux. Seems like it’s hard for the FOSS community to not be toxic.
I’m personally in the boat of I believe everyone should use as much FOSS as they can
But at the same some I’m not going to force it onto people that’s a decision I made for myself.
And it makes even less sense when the non open source app comes from a single seemingly good intentioned dude. Because of that I’ve decided to use his software.
Be mad at the big company’s not the small indie devs and also not at the consumer
People need what people need and it’s their choice what the do and don’t use
I worry that this is getting quite toxic and I think people need to work on some empathy every now and then