Anderson Crippler 720°
(youtube in-joke, sorry)
September 2018
amazon's anti-VPN policy: a VPN company responds
After getting doubletalk and eventual confirmation from Amazon that they are forcing their customers to use 2-factor identification to log in to their accounts -- that is, if the customers are using VPNs to access the site -- I emailed my VPN provider to see what they thought of this.
This has nothing to do with the recent hot issue of people outside the US using VPNs to watch Region 1 videos on Amazon; this is Amazon treating all VPN traffic as suspect.
I received a response from the VPN company, likely robo-generated. Might as well have the letterhead "from the desk of Jeff Bezos":
As we understand you are asking us how to use Amazons Two step verification process. [no, I wasn't --tm]
We do not have the specifics in regards to their verification method, however we are aware that most companies that are very security focused will require additional authentication when you are trying to log in while using a different IP address than what their system is used to you logging in with.
This is done to prevent un-authorized access to your account should someone obtain your log in credentials.
We are not able to circumvent their system. You will need to continue verifying your account as they prompt for it, or set up their Two Step verification feature.
VPNs supposedly offer privacy relief from The Man's intrusive tentacles. Why should anyone be forced to use the same device that Amazon is accustomed "to you logging in with"? Is a web transaction for the seller's convenience only? Does Amazon want this user consistency for "security" or as an aid to geographic-based marketing?
With all that in mind it was a bit surprising to read this enthusiastic defense of the "security policy" of probably the worst monopoly company. Even Walmart doesn't force its customers to use 2-factor, just to order a tube of toothpaste (yet). This particular VPN company promotes itself as techno-libertarian -- kind of a joke.
Day Against DRM
Tuesday, September 18 is being planned as a "day without DRM":
https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/take-action-on-the-international-day-against-drm-this-september-18th
https://www.defectivebydesign.org/dayagainstdrm
https://www.defectivebydesign.org/guide
My personal, anecdotal experience is that people's eyes glaze over whenever DRM is mentioned, especially in the context of e-books. "Whaddayagonna do?" seems to be the standard response, followed by "I like my Kindle" or "I don't really read e-books."
Rare individuals will continue to seek out DeDRM'd content and ways to remove digital locks imposed by monopolies.
how to put URLs back in the Chrome address bar
Helpful information:
Here’s How to Disable Google Chrome’s Confusing New URL Hiding Scheme (Lauren Weinstein)
"Confusing" is not the word I would use.
Update: Http, https, www, or m may or may not be hidden in the Chrome address bar, depending on whether or not Eric Schmidt's company has decided to postpone its URL-hiding scheme. Commenters are almost unanimously against it but that won't be the deciding factor. Like the honey badger, a monopoly just goes where it wants.
amazon chat re: their new anti-VPN policy
Was going to let this lie but it's just too funny. I knew calling and chatting about Amazon's new policy of blocking VPN users would be a waste but just wanted to get confirmation that's what they are doing. Thanks to Saurav, Aravind Varma, Anurag, Vini, and Mohammed (in the chat below) and Faisal, Laura, and Jack (via phone and email) who all piled on to help. Eight people in 35 minutes -- quite the team effort! And my first name was used nine times, it's almost like they're ... my friends. It was Laura (via phone) who finally confirmed that, yes, Mr. Bezos has decided to flip the bird to VPN users whether they are streaming or not (not her exact words).
