Quote:
Originally Posted by HLS
what do you mean by surveillance heavy? all ebook providers monitor our reading and usage
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No, they don't. Though probably all subscription/borrow/loan systems and KU does.
Obviously they all know what they have sold. But even with Amazon (the most invasive major seller) you can buy ebooks, download to PC, transfer to Kindle via USB and never turn on WiFi and they will never know your reading & usage.
Amazon kindle app and Google playbooks on Android do both connect to internet without you even opening the app.
Pocketbook app on Android tries but respects system "network forbidden" setting.
It's easier to buy from Kobo and have no monitoring. They have Download to PC even if you have no Kobo.
But with all ebook outright sellers (not loans/subscriptions/rental) you can download and "sideload" such that even if you do turn on WiFi the book usuage isn't reported on Kindle or Kobo.
ebooks.com sells and doesn't monitor use afterwords.
Smashwords/D2D sell without DRM and don't monitor use.
All online sellers track what they sell, but that isn't monitoring our reading and usage.
Avoid direct downloads to a device and especially to an App and there is unlikely to be monitoring of your reading and usage. It would be illegal in many countries for any sideloaded PD or outright bought ebook and easy to avoid on a dedicated device. Apps on iOS or Android need a little more care.
In terms of sales only paper for cash locally is likely to be anonymous. But knowing who a book was sold to isn't monitoring our reading and usage.