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?
this post was submitted on 01 Jun 2025
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Probably users learning the local language
Right, "give us the info for anyone learning Arabic in this area..."
more like give us the loc for people learning english
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
More on the subject in an article from 404media: The 200+ Sites an ICE Surveillance Contractor is Monitoring
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FUCK 404 MEDIA, THE EXPLOITATIVE BASTARDS
Fuck Duolingo and their all in AI, dog shit product. I hope the platform burns.
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.
Thanks for the link But I can't find a reference to Duolingo in the article ; is it only in the podcast?
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.
This was a nice reminder to cancel my year sub before it renewed. Done.
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?