They use the small flash inside the DRM chip in the cartridge to store the telemetry, then the e-waste companies are paid by HP to read and send to the mothership the contents of the chips sent to recycle

  • everett@lemmy.ml
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    2 days ago

    Not to defend this, but

    a customer can choose not to store usage data on the memory chip through the control panel.

    • FosterMolasses@leminal.space
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      1 day ago

      Yes, always blame the consumer for not knowing they need to opt-out.

      Next, people will be at fault for their microwaves collecting their fingerprints because they didn’t read the fine print at fucking Sears.

      • everett@lemmy.ml
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        22 hours ago

        Please point to the words where I blamed the consumer. Feel free to use your system’s copy and paste functionality, if that makes it easier to share the words in question.

        Because as far as I can tell, there are two components to my comment:

        1. The part where I made the clear that I’m not defending this. (“Not to defend this”)
        2. The part where I shared information that might be helpful for someone who already owns one of these. (Everything else!)

        Thanks! I await your reply.

      • omgboom@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        2 days ago

        It’s HP, I assume opting out has to be done online, and the web link to opt out takes you to a page that is 404’ed

        • Capricorn_Geriatric@lemmy.world
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          2 days ago

          Too simple.

          You need to open a website to print your written request form (which is 404’d, btw), and which you have to mail from a US location because other places don’t exist (unless they have laws, then we won’t risk it).

          For those placez we just say we don’t do it to them. Then if and when the trashed cartridges do come to us, they’re all known to be from the US (pinky promise).

            • Xechon@lemmy.world
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              1 day ago

              I don’t hate telemetry, and words do have meanings. I wouldn’t call it a consumer attraction, however, otherwise it would make the most sense to design it as opt-in.

              Telemetry isn’t malicious by nature, although it likely is in support of predatory sales practices in this case considering HP’s recent history. When opt-out, I would call it undesirable software designed to send unauthorized data from a consumer perspective.

              Maybe there is a better term, but I can’t think of one. Language is flexible though, and most categorizations have defiers.

    • mang0@lemmy.zip
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      2 days ago

      Honestly, make opting out of shit that primarily benefits the company should be illegal. No one should have to opt out of giving away their data. When installing windows, you at least get the choice to opt out of some of their bullshit.

      • everett@lemmy.ml
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        2 days ago

        Of course, and my comment wasn’t saying that the opt-out makes it okay.

      • everett@lemmy.ml
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        2 days ago

        In case you’re actually concerned with my credentials in this area, I’m a person who’s quoting the article.