this post was submitted on 01 Jun 2025
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Duolingo

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[–] [email protected] 23 points 1 month ago (1 children)

What kind of data is Duolingo amassing that anyone would care about? I just checked the permissions, and it doesn't have anything enabled which would not be necessary for it to function. Unless the government is interested in my mangled pronunciations or foreign words?

[–] [email protected] 29 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Probably users learning the local language

[–] Stillwater 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Right, "give us the info for anyone learning Arabic in this area..."

[–] [email protected] 35 points 1 month ago (1 children)

more like give us the loc for people learning english

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 month ago

Especially since you have to start learning a new language from your native language, so they can see the difference between a ukrainian user and a Spanish-speaking user learning English

[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

This post is for paid members only

Become a paid member for unlimited ad-free access to articles, bonus podcast content, and more.

FUCK 404 MEDIA, THE EXPLOITATIVE BASTARDS

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Weird that wouldn't show to me before but now I see it too, here a link without paywall

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 month ago

Fuck Duolingo and their all in AI, dog shit product. I hope the platform burns.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

TL;DR:

ICE contractor ShadowDragon uses their platform SocialNet to map individuals' digital footprints, personal data and connections across 200+ sites such as OnlyFans, WhatsApp, Roblox and Duolingo.

ShadowDragon claims it accesses data in real-time without storing it, sidestepping some accountability.

ICE and other agencies, including the DEA and State Department, use SocialNet for investigations, citing its utility in tracking criminal activity, despite their unwillingness to prove that criminality in court.

Link to the 404Media article without the required sign in.

Link to Mozilla's follow-up article which mentions some additional involved companies.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Thanks for the link But I can't find a reference to Duolingo in the article ; is it only in the podcast?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

That's from this follow-up article by the Mozilla Foundation

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

Thank you !

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Fuck that. Uninstalled.

I persevered through the AI bullshit because I'm not subscribed therefore if anything I'm a drain on their resources (and close the app as soon as adverts show) but sod this. There's other resources out there to learn a language.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

This was a nice reminder to cancel my year sub before it renewed. Done.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

Duo...can you translate what this guy's saying?

Translation: I'm a us citizen you sonobabich!

Well that's not in our native tongue!

Translation: its Ndéé biyáti' bitch!

What the heck us that?