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SCARY and SERIOUS Question: Does macOS Big Sur Report Data Back To Apple?

I got a personal message saying that my response that basically said what the previous message I sent was offensive and traumatising. I said "Sorry" but forgot to add 'snowflake'.
 
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xraydoc said:
The OP has several other similarly circular threads about 'security'.
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Yes XrayDoc, security is a real and genuine problem I have that I'm trying to solve with more research.

With so many Apps requiring them to be constantly connected to the Internet and not to mention all of the cloud solutions that are becoming standard now, I just want to make sure I'm maintaining my user privacy. I'm not doing anything illegal and I'm just a regular user.
 
BeautifulWoman_1984 said:
Yes XrayDoc, security is a real and genuine problem I have that I'm trying to solve with more research.

With so many Apps requiring them to be constantly connected to the Internet and not to mention all of the cloud solutions that are becoming standard now, I just want to make sure I'm maintaining my user privacy. I'm not doing anything illegal and I'm just a regular user.
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Did you buy a computer in the end? We all understand you wish to enjoy a modicum of privacy.
 
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You can read the log files. There’s no private data in them, only application and hardware event data.
 
I wouldn't be able to navigate on the Internet with all this fear within me about whether the computer and the companion OS is spying on me.

For what good reason should Apple be taking a particular liking to me or anyone using macOS that is doing work of one form or another.

From the second I made made an ICQ account to the next message account on MSN and Yahoo and began using e-mail clients and switched back and forth between computers; my privacy is done for.. the trap that is fear about being spied on by my macOS installation is the absolute least of my worries.

I always claim that with my some 40 years left on this planet to live I can of course wreak a lot of havoc. But Apple clamping down on little old me is just a dumb thing to begin pondering about. Absolutely nothing is worth wasting time and energy being afraid to buy a Mac computer and letting what ever tracking or website instill fear in you.

There's is NO WAY the thread starter is ever going to buy that Mac he or she claims to buy, but has worries all the sudden about.

I know this because it's the same comments that those who wait on new hardware claim "I will wait for the next generation chip set or what ever" Good luck waiting forever for the next thing. Your computer is due for a replacement and you're already set on getting one and money is set aside? THEN BUY THE COMPUTER FOR EASTER'S SAKE
 
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BeautifulWoman_1984 said:
I always believed Apple took user privacy seriously and was the most trustworthy big tech company. For example, I always thought Apple was much, much more trustworthy than Microsoft and this is why I'm happy to pay the extra premium for Apple products, but now I'm not sure what to think... 😢
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Don't forget that Apple is in compliance with the Patriot Acts 1, 2, and 3. Any data they collect on users is sent to the NSA. Yes Apple is big on privacy but they always fail to mention this.
 
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w0lf said:
I remember seeing this thread when it was first posted and thinking how stupid it was then. Crazy that 3 months later it's still kicking around and hasn't been locked.

People just need to accept that you cannot use an internet connected device without giving up some degree of privacy and security. Just like you can't go out in the real world and expect total privacy and security.

As others have said. If you find yourself in a similar position as the OP, the issue is more likely one of a mental health concern than a tech related problem.

Adding my vote that this thread should be locked. 🔒
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Honestly I would sincerely urge OP to seek help from a mental health professional. This is a completely unhealthy way to live.
 
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w0lf said:
I remember seeing this thread when it was first posted and thinking how stupid it was then. Crazy that 3 months later it's still kicking around and hasn't been locked.

People just need to accept that you cannot use an internet connected device without giving up some degree of privacy and security. Just like you can't go out in the real world and expect total privacy and security.

As others have said. If you find yourself in a similar position as the OP, the issue is more likely one of a mental health concern than a tech related problem.

Adding my vote that this thread should be locked. 🔒
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Thank you for your reply W0lf.

I really want to assure you and everyone in this thread that I'm very sincere in my quest for security. I just want to feel safe when I use my Mac.

I haven't been able to make a purchase because I've had problems that have taken away my focus from this to pandemic related problems.
 
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BeautifulWoman_1984 said:
I just want to feel safe when I use my Mac.
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Given all your posts, I can guarantee that you will never reach this state.

Never.

Not because of a security issue, but because your posts make it sound that you're way too paranoid and as a result can never accept what we all tell you.

You need to give this up and do what most folk do - AV, ensure your routers etc are always updated, possibly use an adblocker and just keep an eye on what you're doing online.

My personal concern isn't online stuff - rather offline "real life" items: we shred any document that has our name abd/or address, including all packing labels. We have signed up to remove most junk mail, always opt-out on all 3rd party communication options with everyone we deal with, update the privacy settings wuth each organization that offers it, check our credit reports annually and never respond to spam calls.

That's where most risk comes from these days - not casual surfing.
 
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RunsForFun said:
Ha, I thought I was the only one! People make fun of me for doing this but dumpster diving is a thing!
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Nope - been doing it for years because it just makes sense.

People forget that the main risk with computers are malware attacks and ransomware. Staying away from random websites and not clicking on email links will go a long way there.

With your documents they can launch full scale identity theft.

In other words, I'm less worried about me doing something stupid with my data than I am with my bank, my gyno, or my utility company.

The OP is totally focused on the wrong area, but refuses to admit this.
 
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OP would basically have to leave society completely to get the privacy he or she wants. The reality of using any credit cards even in the 1960s was enough to basically give your name, address, etc to the authorities. Even having a landline phone. The FBI could find you any way any time even back then, unless you stopped living in society and started to move to an Amish community or to be even more private, live naked in the woods eating carrion for food and drinking from a stream--hey, if it worked for the pioneers!
 
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qoop said:
You could always ask the mods to shut it down? I think Michael Flynn is around at the moment.
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Thank you for your reply Qoop, but this thread is important to me. I've learned so much in this thread in terms of Apple's privacy policy.

I'm re-reading posts in this thread and articles that people have linked to.

I'd be really distressed if this thread were to be closed... 😢 😢 😢
 
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Is it true that an M1 Mac on Big Sur does not gather any more personal data about us than an Intel based Mac on an older Mac OS would?
 
fisherking said:
why would it? we're talking about 2 differently-compiled versions of the same OS (big sur). when you say 'is it true'... where did you get this?
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I would like it to be true. I didn't get it from anywhere. I am asking if it is true or not.

When I read the OP's title and the title of the first article weeks ago I got the impression the new chip and new OS are taking more of our data than ever before.

So now I want to know (because I was considering buying an M1 machine).
Does it capture and take more of my personal data than High Sierra on my Macbook Pro did?

Yes or no?
And how do you know?
 
I think you will find that Big Sur (Intel or M1) communicates with Apple more about the safety of the apps you open than High Sierra. I think I remember previous posts in this thread that go into this in far more detail.

It's not an M1 thing or an Intel thing. It's a Big Sur thing. When you download and run a program in Windows, it checks it for safety. When you download and run a program in Big Sur, it checks it for safety. The only difference is that the data file it checks against is downloaded from Microsoft under Windows and is on the Apple servers under Big Sur.

Under High Sierra, there is no way you would know if your copy of MS Word has been compromised and sending all your keystrokes to [insert scary monster here...]. Under Big Sur you would. So long as you are connected to the Internet. If not, it skips the check.
 
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