This is true, but VDL has pulled an enormous amount of power to herself (not to the Commission - to herself) and when it comes to these matters (the US trade ‘deal’ is another good example) she has a lot of influence even if she operates under a Council mandate. I am not sure how big her influence is in the Council, she’s a member but without voting rights.

Most of our national leaders are letting us down again and again, indeed.

I strongly believe in the ideas and ideals in the EU, I just wish our leaders did as well.

I’m not sure how many more ways VDL et al can find to sell us out to the US - every single time and neither to our benefit nor in good faith. Even strategically and politically this seems like an exceptionally bad move.

It’s absurd how little control we have over our own data even while we have the legislation in place.

Not saying that isn’t the case but do you have any sources that show Palantir is directly involved?

I don’t know where you are in the world but in the EU this should not be legal without explicit consent. Of course that may matter little but in theory there are laws against this.

Nope. When I go to the site or open the app I am first forced to verify my age and when I click the button to enter my birth date it sends me to Persona instead. It’s beyond aggressive and I am fairly certain also illegal under EU law.

There’s a right to delete your data and profile (and have it ‘forgotten’).

When I suddenly had no access I contacted their customer service asking them to check my stuff, recognise I am an adult and reinstate me. Within a few minutes I got a mail that I had to either verify or sod it. When I replied to that that I should at least have access to my own data/profile they didn’t respond. I’ll give it a few days but this is not something I will just accept.

I’m so over having to fight with companies for their refusal to comply with the law or, you know, just exercising basic decency.

Thanks, though depending on where you are across the pond not sure if there’s reason to be jealous. But yes, the EU is going through it at the moment and not sure where things will land eventually.

There are several decent sources but for mainstream media I would recommend the EU section of the Brussels Times and the EU Observer. Dave Keating is one of the best independent journalists who’s not afraid to call things out for what they are. France24 is pretty decent too and free.

Thanks. I absolutely want to be active but I also am still figuring out a bit how things work here. I’m rather just part of the community than a ‘powerful force’, also feels a bit rude to take that on as a newcomer.

But I’m around and all the time I used to spend (lose?) on Reddit has to go somewhere…

I am always happy to talk undies - no need to be sorry.

Back at Reddit’s BuyFromEU community it was a surprisingly recurring topic, more than womenswear I think. I was often left disappointed by the recommendations of others and I do feel for the average heterosexual woman.

About 8 years ago now I became a gym bunny which radically changed both my physical and mental health and as such I joined the undielympics.

Anyway, I included it knowing at least one person would respond to it and I don’t mind being a bit cheeky (pun intended). But it’s something we all need and there are legit great brands in Europe.

Wow. 2(x)ist and C-IN2 are just about legacy labels by now.

I can easily give you a few similar US labels… To be honest, I think it’s less the US vs European mind as it is the straight vs queer mind. ;)

I thought about adding some food stuff as well but most is European for most people anyway. It’s indeed only the heavily processed stuff which I mostly avoid as well.

But food is one of the few constantly recurring things we buy and as such perhaps the biggest thing we can do to support the European economy. If only our bars and restaurants would stop selling US sodas…

Well, the purge seems to be happening. It was sort of weird because I was verified and then I wasn’t and then I was and then I wasn’t. But until this afternoon I could at least access the non-NSFW part of Reddit, even this morning without issue. Suddenly I can’t even access (or delete) my own profile.

My biggest concern is that community falling apart.

But indeed, in general I am wary of these third party providers but Personal especially. It’s not going to happen. As such, the end of Reddit for me. I am a little sad about it but glad I have options of reaching the few people important to me otherwise.

In the end it’s probably for the best but I’d like to have made that decision myself.

Is there anything specifically you’re curious about?

I can’t check (can’t even access my profile) but my memories are still fairly fresh.

Thanks, happy to be here!

Unless I have yet to discover the nefarious nature of Lemmy no one forced you to comment. No one made a ‘normal’ post in recent weeks - don’t blame me for that. And I left Reddit because of something new that is happening, and what may have an impact on Lemmy as well as the community at the other place is falling apart.

If you had any idea who I am and how I engage with people and platforms you might have responded differently (perhaps take a look at my replies in this thread). I won’t blame you for not knowing, obviously, but it is on you for making the assumption nonetheless.

I guess you’re the first person I won’t bother further engaging with.

I guess if you focus on just the title and the first few words it seems like a post about Reddit, but it is really about an online community being torn apart by absolutely stupid measures and the people taking the charge there not ensuring it stays together. It is a very large community of Europeans and I do think that’s important to acknowledge.

Admittedly I am somewhat oddly emotional about it as it literally just happened and I lost a community I invested in and care about in a split second. This may have coloured my post a bit.

Luckily I had the foresight ensuring to have other ways of contacting the people most important to me over there.

If you have tips, recommendations, anything - I love to hear it.

I won’t deny the memes can be fun and engaging in their own way. I’ve seen posts beginning with a meme developing into something much more meaningful. Generally though I am a political animal through and through and spend a lot of time ‘observing society’. It feels like Lemmy can be a nice fit for me.

It’s my plan to stick around and be an active member, need to find my footing a bit but I am given a welcome I didn’t expect which is encouraging.

Yet, I am in a few European communities I tried to look for one fairly active to create this post and none seem to have a lot of activity in recent weeks. That’s on everybody already here, not the new kid.

To be honest, based on that I am genuinely surprised people are responding to my post. Grateful, but surprised.

I understand the basics of the fediverse and am into it but have yet to get a hang of it myself. It’s a bit annoying there are different standards which don’t communicate with each other.

I have a Eurosky account but that doesn’t work with Mastodon and beyond that I am not quite sure what communicates with what. Admittedly, I have not yet made too much of an effort to look into it. That’s on me.

With Reddit, I understand the saltiness but at the same time - for now the larger community is there and they are no less dedicated Europeans. I’ve genuinely tried to get a move to Lemmy going and if anything I hope that this next step in verification through nefarious third partners might help the effort. Chat control might be another push, as it is used on US platforms while European platforms have declined to use it as well.

You can just call me lieven?

I have no specific links to Belgium but if it’s a nice community I might?

It’s an easy way for them to make even more money. Meta is just outright evil. I never joined Whatsapp or Instagram, no matter how annoyed it makes the people around me, and I was on FB for a brief while because of a specific community but the platform is just toxic even if you very selectively engage with it. And this was about a decade ago, it’s only gotten worse since.

I am just angry with our European leaders who are massively dropping the ball and now even venture into anti-democratic tricks to push things through that have been defeated multiple times already.

Thanks.

It is all just bs what they tell you. They claim to look at posts and comments, your email address, domain and general behaviour. This email address is about 20yo, runs over a private domain and my comments over the past few years run deep into the political and I’ve referenced my career several times.
There’s no way you can suspect me a minor based on my available data.

Data mining is where it’s at. It’s just sad to see the internet of yore slowly getting destroyed by nefarious interests though I am grateful to see communities also fight back.

To be clear, I am pro-child protection but the measures offered won’t do that but will do harm towards everyone. I am fairly certain I don’t have to explain that here.