Comment by dangus
1 month ago
If every app and system is making network connections by default without the user's knowledge or intervention then it doesn't really prove that you are using the computer at all.
1 month ago
If every app and system is making network connections by default without the user's knowledge or intervention then it doesn't really prove that you are using the computer at all.
Completely missing the point, but you're right that I should have said “using or in possession” of the computer. The point is that they reveal your physical location to the network, so if they make requests while not directly in use then it's actually even worse.
For context, stationary desktop machines comprise single-digit percentages of Mac sales: https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/03/06/macbook-pro-and-m...
Every other product sold by Apple (Mac notebooks, iPhones, watches, etc) are designed to be carried around with you, happily beaconing your presence to every network and to every other Apple device that will listen. I have seen this with my own eyes where my M3 MBP showed up on my WiFi AP status page as soon as I got home even though it was supposedly “““asleep””” in my bag.
Your Mac connected to your trusted home network when it want turned off? Wow, scandalous.
You can randomize your MAC address. Built in OS feature.
“wasn’t turned off” is what I meant to say.
What I mean is, an M3 MacBook has essentially the same processor as a cell phone. Of course it’s able to perform activities when the system is “asleep.” It even has specific online behavior labeled as a feature that can be turned on/off (Power Nap).
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/turn-power-nap-on-o...
This is behavior that is desired by Apple’s users.
I sometimes wish that more Apple users who aren’t satisfied would stop complaining while continuing to throw money at Apple and buy themselves a Linux laptop. If you want a laptop with special features like a WiFi kill switch you should buy one of those, not buy a consumer appliance device that is marketed toward convenience-oriented home users.
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