Disable BigBrother features

[icanhazkindle]

Hey,

what exactly do I have to do if I only want to disable some of the features?

I don't want Amazon to see what I read, neither I want them to delete or edit books on my device. But I want to get firmware-updates.

[Bill Lumburgh]

As I see it, the patchfile on the first page of this thread shouldn't affect updates in any way. All it does is replace what would normally be send to Amazon with a nullstring.

[jlmwrite]

I use my debit card for my everyday purchases. A certain large bank knows where I am because of where and when I buy gas. They also know where and when I eat out. Krogers knows exactly what groceries and sundries I buy as I use a loyalty card to get sale prices. A large insurance company knows my and my entire family's medical history and what prescription medications we take.

Everywhere I browse on my computer, even without logging into a website, gets me location focused ads. The phone company has a record of who calls me. My cell provider has the same, and My Location on my cell phone tells Google know where I am. My travel rewards program keeps track of how often I travel and where I go most often. My homeowners and car insurers know what my house looks like and how well I drive.

If I can get a few discounts from Amazon because they know what books I have on my Kindle, then bully for them. They aren't actually spying on any individual (unless you are targeted by law enforcement); it's just another way for them to gather marketing data.

Face it, there ain't no such thing as privacy unless you live off the grid.

[Tiersten]

Originally Posted by icanhazkindle

Hey,

what exactly do I have to do if I only want to disable some of the features?

I don't want Amazon to see what I read, neither I want them to delete or edit books on my device. But I want to get firmware-updates.

You can always do manual firmware updates by downloading the update from the Amazon Kindle support site and then copying it onto your Kindle via USB. Some people prefer it this way anyway as they want to see if there are any reported issues with a specific update before applying it.

[Gearhead]

Originally Posted by carld

I don't care one bit about the data Amazon collects, doesn't bother me at all.

That is nice for you. You should be able to "opt-in". I can't even "opt-out". Shame on Amazon.

[carld]

Originally Posted by Gearhead

That is nice for you. You should be able to "opt-in". I can't even "opt-out". Shame on Amazon.

You opt-in by buying a Kindle. I knew going in that Amazon would collect data on my purchases, just like they already did. Personally, I think this big-brother Amazon stuff is just a big pile of overly paranoid nonsense.

[MrPLD]

If you want to upset big-brother, it's a lot easier to just confuse them with disinformation to hide your truth ... that or disconnect everything and go live under a rock.

[floriano]

@ebs: What programme does the actual transfer of the log files to amazon servers? Where is it being called? I had a look at the cronjobs but couldn't find anything.

I am wondering if just changing the showlog script is sufficient that nothing is transmitted to them.

[Waba]

Can I get by not activating my Kindle 3? What are the pros/cons of this?
I don't see myself using the Kindle store... The wifi, browser (so on) is a joke to me and I don't plan on using it.

Frankly, this is a big deal. I routinely change the formats of ebooks, probably in violation of ToS. Pretty victimless if you ask me... The last thing I want is AMZN datalogging me and deeming me a pirate.

With music and movie people coming after individuals constantly, this is pretty scary. Who's to say publishers won't come after me for converting a PDF (worthless on ereader) into a mobi?

[icanhazkindle]

Does the K3 still have a remote-delete-feature like the K2? If so, how can I disable it?

Originally Posted by Waba

I don't see myself using the Kindle store... The wifi, browser (so on) is a joke to me and I don't plan on using it.

What about sending your Kindle back and getting the Wi-Fi version(I don't know US law but in Germany you can send ordered products back within 14 days after buying without telling them a reason)? It sounds like you don't really need the 3G one. If law doesn't allow you sending it back, you can try it though because amazon is very acommodating as far as I know. Btw I don't think Amazon will say you are a pirate because you convert PDF's. Their logs don't prove anything I think.

[Achiever]

Originally Posted by c861556

Aside from the fact that the EULA doesn't explicitly mention such 'insignificant' things like location tracking:

A 2001 Privacy Leadership Initiative survey showed that only 3% of customers read privacy policies carefully and 64% only glance or never read such policies.

In 2002, the New York Times reported that only 0.3% of users read Yahoo’s privacy policy in a one month period back in 2001.

A 2006 survey of Facebook users showed that 89% of them admitted that they had never read the privacy policy and 91% were not familiar with the terms of service.

A 2008 survey by the ICO found that 71% did not read or understand privacy policies, that 62% wanted a clearer explanation of how personal information will actually be used, and that 42% believed that the material only existed to justify the selling on of personal details.

In April, 2010, a computer game retailer revealed that it legally owns the souls of thousands of online shoppers, thanks to a clause in the terms and conditions agreed to by online shoppers ("By placing an order via this Web site . . . you agree to grant Us a non transferable option to claim, for now and for ever more, your immortal soul.") Almost 90% of customers agreed to the terms and conditions without reading. Those who refused the terms, by the way, were given a £5 gift voucher.

Do I need to go on?

The last one is [language edit by moderation] WICKED SICK!

Don't [language edit by moderation] with the Devil!

But the other ones show how the mass of sheeple let the shepard(s) lead the way without knowing where they going...

Get enlightened and out of the trap by getting smarter and a better human!

[Rinzwind]

Did they change the showlog script?
Because (unless I am being stupid) I can not find the 2 lines I need to change.

# grep print_stream_header showlog

print_stream_header () {
        print_stream_header $NUMFILES  >> "$OUTFILE"
        print_stream_header  `ls $ARCHIVE_DIR/${LOG}_*.gz | wc -l ` >> "$OUTFILE"

grep print_gzip_files showlog

print_gzip_files_anon () {
print_gzip_files_dsn () {
GZIP_HEADER_TYPE=print_gzip_files_anon
            GZIP_HEADER_TYPE=print_gzip_files_dsn

Kindle GB 3G+wifi.

[ode]

Hi, how do I get a shell on kindle 3 wifi to be able to modify showlog?
Do I just need to install the jailbreak?

Thanks for your help, I have searched but it's not clear to me.

Cheers

[cjottawa]

Originally Posted by carld

You opt-in by buying a Kindle. I knew going in that Amazon would collect data on my purchases, just like they already did. Personally, I think this big-brother Amazon stuff is just a big pile of overly paranoid nonsense.

Hear hear.

The tin-foil-hat-wearing crowd seems to ignore motive. Amazon is in the business of making money and they do this by providing an engaging customer experience.

There's no knock at my door of g-men to question me about my highlighted passages, though Amazon might make a book recommendation to me based on what I've read, liked and highlighted.

Face it: most of us are "nobodies" the government and big business is indifferent toward, aside from as a source of revenue. The tin-foil-hat-crowd needs to get over themselves.

/rant

[Acorn]

What is responsible for generating this line in the log?:
HDR Latitude=37.334167,HDR Longitude=-122.031113,

It would be great to be able to access that script as an easy way of getting your current location!