Ok, so maybe we are talking about the same field of science, but it seems that, from what they say there is two very distinct approach.
1.Collect personal data, send them to mainframe, use them to profile and deliver custom tailored services. When sharing hash so that individual records can't be extrapolated
2.Collect personal data, use them locally sometimes using mainframe provided 'models'. Return to mainframe hashed records to improve models.
Google is clearly using 1. while Apple claim to target 2. (I don't think it's actually the case now because I though Siri actually store some personal data on the cloud so far)
I must have been connected to the same Gmail or Facebook account at some point on both devices.
However as I said I purposely never stay logged in to google services. Yeah, I can flush all cookies (thus annoyingly resetting all legit cookies as well).
But this is not how privacy should work, cause there is a lot of people out there that don't read HN and only recently found out that there is a lot pastry inside their computers.
A large number of well qualified Indian and Chinese immigrants are in the same situation. The Chinese situation is a bit better (China @ 2010 vs India @ 2004). However, none of us are taking a stand on it and making sufficient noise about it. There are thousands of tax paying legal immigrants stuck in limbo. The tax money + fees that are paid are in billions and yet apparently somehow we have no voice.
Nobody is talking about L1B or L1A visas yet. L1B allows these bodyshops to overcome the limits set forth by the H1B visas. While H1Bs are indentured servants and tied to their employers it is still possible for them to switch jobs once they're in the US. However, L1Bs is worse. There are no limits to the number of L1B visas that are issued. They cannot switch jobs. They do not have to be paid fairly according to market wages. They are slaves.
Also - I'm on H1B. But the difference is I graduated from a top school in the US and I am employed not to replace an American worker but I have certain skills that are not easily found in the tech industry. Unfortunately, I'm lumped into the same category as the body shopping H1Bs and so I've not yet received my greencard despite paying taxes for the past 7 years. And FYI I've consistently hit AMT for the past so many years and I own property and investments in this country. So, this kind of BS not only hurts American workers. It hurts the genuine immigrants as well. It also hurts the economy overall because although I wanted to start my own startup I have not been able to due to my visa status and restrictions. I would've generated economic opportunity for several individuals. I have also had to turn down CTO positions because usually tiny startups do not have the ability to sponsor H1Bs and they just don't want to deal with the paperwork. I am also working with a founder right now who wants to bring me on but is in a legal dilemma due to my status.
