2.5 Admins 2.5 Admins 275: G-word
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Nov 27, 2025 Google's unsettling approach to data collection raises eyebrows, especially with their Nest devices still tracking users. The hosts dive deep into the repercussions of relying on cloud services, revealing how smart gadgets can become useless when outages strike. FreeBSD gains momentum as it joins the OCI runtime specification, sparking conversations about container practices and the reality versus expectations in tech. Plus, tips on snagging cheap used hardware from eBay and beyond keep the frugality theme alive!
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Google Kept Data Collection After Bricking Nest
- Google continued collecting sensor and motion data from downgraded Nest thermostats even after remote control was disabled.
- Allan Jude and Jim Salter highlight this as expected behavior from Google, emphasizing data-first business motives.
Attract Then Extract Is The Business Play
- Jim Salter frames Google's strategy as 'collect first, monetize later' with deliberate data accumulation.
- He asserts companies enter an attract phase then switch to extract once users depend on the service.
Host Sensitive Services Locally
- Consider self-hosting alternatives like Home Assistant or Image to avoid sending private data to cloud services.
- Allan Jude and Joe Ressington recommend hosting on your LAN to keep control and privacy.
