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Google is working on essentially putting DRM on the web (github.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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The much maligned "Trusted Computing" idea requires that the party you are supposed to trust deserves to be trusted, and Google is DEFINITELY NOT worthy of being trusted, this is a naked power grab to destroy the open web for Google's ad profits no matter the consequences, this would put heavy surveillance in Google's hands, this would eliminate ad-blocking, this would break any and all accessibility features, this would obliterate any competing platform, this is very much opposed to what the web is.

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

PCs have been switching to UEFI instead of legacy BIOS startups, one of the features of UEFI is Secure Boot, which ensures all code being run during the boot process is signed with a valid key, which most PC manufacturers have been choosing to be a Microsoft key by default because Windows requires Secure Boot and most PC users want to run Windows. Depending on the manufacturer, you may be able to switch to "legacy BIOS" boot, add your own keys, disable the check, or use a Microsoft signed stub for your alternative OS. Only the last one is guaranteed to work, though.

Even on a Windows OS, I can run any program I want

Windows 10/11 Home in S mode only allows running programs from the Microsoft Store, you need to upgrade the license if you want to "sideload" stuff.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

I have yet to encounter a PC where Secure Boot can't be turned off.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

If i recall you can toggle s mode off inside the Microsoft store and use it normally, you just cant turn it back on without a reboot.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Interesting. I wasn't aware of all that. Troublesome.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

S mode?? Man that feels like using a PC with a child lock turned on.