Poob@lemmy.ca 1 year ago
I’m guessing the reason for most things forcing you to use an app is less because of data harvesting, and more because it increases repeated use.
When you have to go to your browser and remember to check a website it’s harder to create a habit. If you have an icon flashing on your home screen every day it’s much easier to remember to go to their site. Sure you can “Add to Home screen” functionality, but average users don’t even know that exists.
It also feels like a bespoke app is more “professional” than a website, despite many apps secretly just being a website anyway.
That said, they are definitely harvesting your data. I just don’t think that’s the main reason for most apps.
njordomir@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
I would also add that apps allow companies to more closely control your behavior. If I use amazon in the browser, I can open up 20+ tabs and save things to my browser bookmarks rather than storing my “likes” server side with their list feature. I also can’t copy text or save images in many apps, even something as simple as an order number.
I see the dark patterns you reference fruequently. Two-thirds of apps seem to abuse notifications now. It got to the point where I literally turn off all of them except phone and messaging. I just put a repeating task on my to do list to check email and such. I don’t need every app on my phone to spam me over every little thing, but the companies that made them sure seem to need that to happen. My attention is sacred.