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Joined 2 years ago
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Cake day: July 5th, 2023

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  • Some additional info based on their published material (screenshot below). The software gets its data from “publicly available sources” which includes tracking information from many different online advertisers, public social media posts, etc. As we know, the advertising data can sometimes have your personal info attached - sometimes not. Babel Street claims to anonymize the data, but let’s assume there is a $$ amount at which they won’t.

    So, theoretically, if you can successfully avoid ad trackers, and you don’t post on social media platforms except where you want to be “seen”, you can avoid this tracking (granted that seems quite impossible these days).




  • Waldowal@lemmy.worldtoTechnology@lemmy.world*deleted by creator*
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    8 months ago

    Dear Mr. High & Mighty, I’ve actually seen all those things - on UL certified devices.

    But again, not my point. My point was a lamp isn’t complicated enough for the UL to charge so much that the price goes up 10x. If they are charging that much, there should be tons of competitors trying to get a piece of that pie. If they aren’t charging alot, then many of the products on Amazon, that are often certified by authorities in other countries, would also get UL certified. It has all the hallmarks of a racket.


  • Waldowal@lemmy.worldtoTechnology@lemmy.world*deleted by creator*
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    8 months ago

    That’s not really the point I was going for. I’m not saying bad companies won’t make shit products. I’m just pointing out a lamp doesn’t require alot of effort for the UL to certify, so it can’t justify a 10x increase in cost. But they must be charging a ton or more companies would just get their products certified.


  • Waldowal@lemmy.worldtoTechnology@lemmy.world*deleted by creator*
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    8 months ago

    Maybe unpopular opinion, but I’m on the fence about this. I slightly subscribe to the conspiracy theory that many “certified” products are just ways to stifle competition while also justifying higher prices for “certified” products.

    Take UL listed electronics for example. Sure, that might mean something on a full computer full of electronics, but a lamp is two fucking wires and a bulb. It’s not complicated. Even confirming proper metals are used to prevent shrinking and expansion is not complicated. But the same $15 lamp is $100 once it’s UL certified. The math doesn’t add up.

    Like I said: On the fence. Maybe it’s the best way to ensure safe products, but it also seems like a great system for lining specific peoples pockets.

    EDIT: Jesus people, read my post before you get all triggered. I’m not saying shit products don’t exist.