this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2024
232 points (96.4% liked)

Privacy

32159 readers
578 users here now

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Related communities

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Hi, my post is focusing specifically on YouTube since I observed the following categories have less intrusive solutions or privacy focused solutions, even if they are paid:

  • Operating Systems (Linux, for example)
  • Instant Messaging (Element, for example)
  • Community Messaging (Revolt, for example)
  • E-Mail (Proton, for example)
  • Office (libreoffice, for example)
  • Password Managers (Bitwarden, for example)

However, how do we distribute videos and watch them without data collection? I am NOT asking how do I use a privacy-focused front-end for YouTube, by the way, I am aware they exist.

I am wondering how we obtain a FOSS solution to something super critical such as YouTube. It is critical since it contains a lot of educational content (I'd wager more than any other platform), and arguably the most informative platform, despite having to filter through a lot of trash. During COVID, we even saw lecturers from universities upload their content on YouTube and telling students to watch those lectures. (I have first-hand experience with this at a respectable university).

I refuse to accept that there is nothing we can do about it.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] doodledup@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Youtube has a Google Search to back the 15 years of constant losses by Youtube.

[–] 0laura@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

That's true, you'd definitely have to charge more than what YouTube makes with ads. But I don't think Google would keep YouTube alive if it generated only like, 10% of the money it costs them to operate.

Edit: That's why I said "it's probably not too outrageous", I know that YouTube probably operates at a loss, but I don't think the cost is so great that noone would pay to fund a service like that. Though I'm obviously just guessing, I might be totally wrong

[–] doodledup@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

Google is a whole package. They can earn money with youtube by serving ads on Google search that are fueled by your Youtube data.