Starmer's vision quest

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Have to admit to knowing nothing about Al Carns but having read the below article and also his Wikipedia page, he seems like the type of person you want as a Minister in a govt department, particularly one exactly aligned to their expertise.

https://www.theguardian.com/politic...-waste-inefficiency-ministry-defence-al-carns

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Carns

 

[C R]

Have to admit to knowing nothing about Al Carns but having read the below article and also his Wikipedia page, he seems like the type of person you want as a Minister in a govt department, particularly one exactly aligned to their expertise.

https://www.theguardian.com/politic...-waste-inefficiency-ministry-defence-al-carns

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Carns

The defence contractors gravy train is well documented. At some point there was a team of over thirty people at BAE just doing matlab modelling of the fighter pilots helmet. That's one of the reasons I am skeptical about the need for such a dramatic increase in defence spending.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

The defence contractors gravy train is well documented. At some point there was a team of over thirty people at BAE just doing matlab modelling of the fighter pilots helmet. That's one of the reasons I am skeptical about the need for such a dramatic increase in defence spending.

Yes, that is well documented, hence why someone who understands how the situation is exploited by contractors and appears to want to challenge that would surely be better placed to intervene than an MP with little clue.

 

[Electric_Andy]

Quite. "You're old enough to choose the next government, but not old enough to watch Youtube after 10pm." Very much treating the symptoms rather than looking at what's spreading the problem (barely-regulated publishers of illegal content).

I don't know how I feel about this social media "ban", but it will be interesting to see how it plays out. I was telling my 14yo son about it last night, and he just said he'll use a VPN! I guess you can set it to a country that doesn't have the ban, and will not be prompted to provide age verification on creating an account? Or maybe you can continue using one's own account? Anyway, what would be the consequences of knowing your son or daughter does that, technically you are complicit in them breaking the law? And who's going to know? It does seem like it will only capture a small percentage of kids who either don't know about VPNs or can't be bothered. The rest will carry on as normal

 

[C R]

Yes, that is well documented, hence why someone who understands how the situation is exploited by contractors and appears to want to challenge that would surely be better placed to intervene than an MP with little clue.

That's true, but he also was complaining about the lack of commitment to giving more money to defence spending, so he seems to be blowing hot and cold there.

 

[rakkor]

A simple answer to the VPN issue is to remove access to under 16s from the App/Play store or better remove the VPN option from under 16 phones as well as the Dev Tools to prevent sideloading, I realise there will be outliers but it will capture the majority of kids - If they legislate this for Google and Apple to implement with swingeing fines for non compliance.

 

[secretsqirrel]

Perhaps the Security Services know, but feel the revelations might work in Starmer's favour.

I understand he can get a £5mil grant from the far east for his security if he needs it. Covers everything even milkshakes.

 

[Psamathe]

I don't know how I feel about this social media "ban", but it will be interesting to see how it plays out. I was telling my 14yo son about it last night, and he just said he'll use a VPN! I guess you can set it to a country that doesn't have the ban, and will not be prompted to provide age verification on creating an account? Or maybe you can continue using one's own account? Anyway, what would be the consequences of knowing your son or daughter does that, technically you are complicit in them breaking the law? And who's going to know? It does seem like it will only capture a small percentage of kids who either don't know about VPNs or can't be bothered. The rest will carry on as normal

Parental Controls will block your child from installing a VPN app. So no VPN.

Edit: As commented above by rakkor, sorry missed that but the tools are provided and if parents decline to use them then it's the same as allowing their child to use their proof of age ID to bypass checks.

 

[icowden]

Parental Controls will block your child from installing a VPN app. So no VPN.

But only if you can use parental controls.

 

[Psamathe]

But only if you can use parental controls.

No end of help available. Loads of web sites, child charities. eg 2 second google search gave https://findmykids.org/blog/en/how-to-block-apps-on-app-store eg https://eephonesmart.co.uk/online-safety-tips/guide-to-parental-controls/ loads of other hits and different explanations.

 

[icowden]

No end of help available. Loads of web sites, child charities. eg 2 second google search gave https://findmykids.org/blog/en/how-to-block-apps-on-app-store eg https://eephonesmart.co.uk/online-safety-tips/guide-to-parental-controls/ loads of other hits and different explanations.

Couldn't give a toss. If you are using an iphone as a medical device you have to set it up with an adult profile in the App Store.
End of.

 

[Psamathe]

Couldn't give a toss. If you are using an iphone as a medical device you have to set it up with an adult profile in the App Store.
End of.

You can still apply blocks to an adult profile. I have some setup on my own personal phone (certain sites, apps, etc.)

eg I block facebook.com even though I don't use it many other sites embed Facebook which is tracked ... so if I browse to facebook I get

and any embedded content on 3rd party sites, 3rd party site display fine, just the embedded facebook area is blank.

Edit: And that works across all browsers installed, all apps everything, direct ISP, public hotspot or through VPN all still blocked.

 

[Pross]

Couldn't give a toss. If you are using an iphone as a medical device you have to set it up with an adult profile in the App Store.
End of.

How many children are using their phone as a medical device though? If a small number have to bypass the ban then so be it, that will always be the case. If the vast majority lose access it will also reduce peer pressure on those who retain access for some legitimate reason.

 

[Dorset Boy]

How many children are using their phone as a medical device though? If a small number have to bypass the ban then so be it, that will always be the case. If the vast majority lose access it will also reduce peer pressure on those who retain access for some legitimate reason.

Absolutely, no rule or law is ever going to be 100% perfect, so should government just not bother?
Better to introduce a law they feel is right overall and then permit specific exemptions.

 

[icowden]

You can still apply blocks to an adult profile. I have some setup on my own personal phone (certain sites, apps, etc.
Edit: And that works across all browsers installed, all apps everything.

But it's blocked using your account and password. You can choose to unblock it.