iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I have a unique email address and unique password for my BSKY account. Where’s the hack or leak?

This password has appeared in a data leak, which puts this account at high risk of compromise. You should change your password immediately. iPhone can create a strong password for you. Would you like to change your password for "Bluesky"?

010

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Here’s a banger that is dead on

@quinnypig’s tweet that says:

I said it years ago and it's pretty clearly correct:

web1: You are the audience web2: You are the product web3: You are the victim

000

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

It's wild. I asked Claude WTF this was about and pause the project. Here it basically says the new default mode overrode my explicitly chosen setting of "ask" for every permission: For anyone just trying to be remotely responsible and understand what AI is doing, it's all but impossible.

You were right, and my last answer was wrong on an important point: this session is running in Auto Mode. I just checked, and I should have checked before answering instead of assuming.

This session's permission mode is Auto. That means the app has not been stopping to ask your approval before each of my actions.
Your saved default is the ordinary "ask" mode. So Auto was selected for this session specifically, not set as your account-wide default. I can't see how or when it was selected.
The message you saw wasn't written by me. Nothing in my replies said my default is Auto Mode, so it most likely came from the app's own interface. But it was telling you something true about this session, and I wrongly told you it wasn't relevant.

110

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

And to know what Anthropic is worried about, have a look at their general rules / acceptable content production categories. Dang.

I tried but I cannot copy / paste the categories without including 100000s of words of description. Examples include "do not compromise computer or network systems," and "do not compromise privacy or identity rights," and "do not generate sexually explicit content."

010

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

1985 would like a word (But yeah, I get that it’s bad) youtu.be/wB1X4o-MV6o?...

020

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Unsure if this helps, but it’s one of my favorite @cvo.bsky.social moments

121

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

My cat has a giant fan club in my neighbors, who ooh and ahh and call to him all day long, and he just … ignores them. All that attention and love and he just … don’t care.

000

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Ok, philosophers or punks, help me find the rubric here. Honestly I think all philosophers are a little bit punk, but this is up for debate.

A list of philosophers ranked from very punk to not punk at all.

100

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This is all the more true when your site doesn't respect my GPC opt out signal, and when I've finally dug into your privacy policy, find out that you have opted me into data sharing / sales with advertisers. @calprivacy.bsky.social @blueshieldca.bsky.social

A cookie preference selector that was hard to find, and auto-opts people into sharing data with advertisers, even when they have set a GPC signal.

000

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Hey @blueshieldca.bsky.social @calprivacy.bsky.social This isn't a proper privacy notice, and clicking it - when you've blocked my ability to access any portion of the site - isn't consent. This is an illegal experience, and your data sharing with advertisers is illegal.

A notice on the BlueShieldCA.com website that says "We use trusted partners to improve your experience
We use third-party service providers to help us operate and manage this website. By clicking Continue you agree to the collection and recording by, and disclosure to, third parties of your navigation and use activity on this website."

No part of the site - including the privacy policy - is clickable until this notice is accepted.

100

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I toured Independence Hall today, and was so inspired to be in the room where the Declaration and Constition were both signed, and to think of what those people gave us. Inspired.

The room where the Declaration and Constitution were signed. Surprisingly small and cramped!

100

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

In a minor miracle, I’m awake early and finishing my coffee in this lovely Philadelphia park. I miss this part of the world, being surrounded by inspirational American history and reminding me of our most core values. That reminder nourishes the soul.

Just a picture of a city park, in front of a very old building.

000

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I consult for a company whose people I adore, but who’s tech and legal paranoia is so vast as to make it impossible to complete basic tasks on their required tech setup. Tomorrow I’m giving a talk to 300 people, and just had to send this message. I’ve been asking for help for months.

A text stating: “I think the best option is to use the internal login, deal with not being able to see a single face, and pray that the system doesn't decide to disconnect me.

That being the "best" option should highlight how profoundly unworkable the general setup is.”

100

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Maybe my favorite picture from visiting Lake Tahoe

An elderly couple hold hands as they walk into Lake Tahoe together.

010

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I’m at Lake Tahoe and so you’ll be seeing a lot of variations of this picture. Among the most entertaining scenes here are teenagers, at once enthralled with their new powers and rather insecure in them. Wishing them easy entries into adulthood as well rounded humans, but we know how that goes.

Lake Tahoe. View from a deck. Beautiful.

000

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Chrome wants my account administrator to see my browsing history and PWs, and to be able to fingerprint my device and see what else I'm doing on it. The same browser also asks for my local nw access daily. This is a personal device, and I use it for contract work at @berkeleyhaas.bsky.social.

110

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

My blissed out kitty, Leo.

Orange cat in a cat bed, a face that’s content with the world

020

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Couldn’t find my toolkit this morning and found this old beauty - probably 20 years old. Microsoft Trustworthy Computing swag toolkit. #ThrowbackThursday

Engineering Excellence & Trustworthy Computing branded toolkit.

100

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I’ve been thinking about living abroad for a long time now. I could use a curiosity or exploration partner for casual talk and info sharing. Give a shout. Also, here’s Leo today.

Orange cat. Sleeping. Tongue hanging out.

010

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

@richaber.bsky.social here is my loaf, Leo. (Only one in loaf form)

110

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Question: I’d love examples for almost pajama-esque clothes that can be worn in a business casual setting. Tall woman who wants comfort above style but would prefer not to sacrifice all style.

060

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

When the kitty lets you know he’s glad you’re back home

Orange cat laying expectantly on the bed, forepaws crossed.

0160

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Sounds like Canvas is still under active attack. “Until further notice, please do not attempt to access Canvas through any browser or device. If you are currently logged in, please close your browser immediately without clicking any links.”

Dear Campus Community:

Our learning management system, Canvas, is currently unavailable due to a cyberattack affecting our vendor, Instructure. This issue is impacting institutions and users globally and we are actively monitoring the situation.

Until further notice, please do not attempt to access Canvas through any browser or device. If you are currently logged in, please close your browser immediately without clicking any links.

We are aware that this has impacted bCourses as well as other campus platforms tied to Canvas, as Instructure has taken such platforms offline.
As you know, bCourses is the digital platform where students access course content. Campus officials are exploring other paths for students and staff to access needed information.

We recognize this significant disruption affects teaching and learning across campus. Students should await instructions from their instructors regarding temporary arrangements for submitting assignments and accessing course materials.…

000

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

From Twenty Lessons from On Tyranny 11. Investigate. Read long form articles. Subsidize investigative journalism… 15. Support good causes. snyder.substack.com/p/twenty-les...

15. Contribute to good causes. Be active in organizations, political or not, that express your own view of life. Pick a charity or two and set up autopay. Then you will have made a free choice that supports civil society and helps others to do good.

11. Investigate. Figure things out for yourself. Spend more time with long articles. Subsidize investigative journalism by subscribing to print media. Realize that some of what is on the internet is there to harm you.
Learn about sites that investigate propaganda campaigns (some of which come from abroad). Take responsibility for what you communicate with others.

000

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

My cat has a big ole fan club in the complex, and he treats them with utter indifference. People literally lay in the courtyard trying to get him to come near. Two organize their lives around trying to interact. I tell him how many former stray babies would love to have a fan club The glib menace

000

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

I swear I’m trying to work

010

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

He’s so relaxed for just having puked on the sofa

131

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

A picture of David Bowie that BSKY has mistaken for DJT.

000

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

I’m pretty sure this sign is supposed to constitute “notice” that a listening device is capturing everything I say in the doctors office. But boy, you’d be hard pressed to make a case that it’s not literally anything else.

Piece of paper hanging on a bulletin board that says

“New Technology to Further Improve Our Care for You
At the Palo Alto Medical Foundation we are always looking for ways to make our care even better for you. That's why we are currently piloting new technology that will allow your clinician to focus more on you and your care. Your clinician will be using this new technology during your appointment today,
Learn more about the new technology and how it will benefit you on the back of this flyer.
Sutter”

040

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

I do expect that Apple will be pulling the app any day now for non-compliance. I don’t care if it’s common. It’s against policy, it’s wrong, and it’s deceptive. And the leader of the free world (ummm) should be setting the highest example.

130

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Immediately after completing signup, I’m hit with the need to verify ID (face scan + ID) with a 3P vendor. The vendor promises to delete data *I* provide, but not facial geometry and fingerprints. Can’t use the site without ID verification. No mention of this requirement anywhere before signup.

How ID verification works
• Quest uses Incode, a third-party vendor, for patient ID verification.
• As a part of this service, you will be asked to take a picture of yourself and a valid government-issued ID for comparison.
• The details you provide will be deleted 30 days after you are verified.
• Quest does not share any information about your health or conditions) with the third-party vendor.
• If you choose not to verify your identity, you will continue to have access, but you won't receive any lab results in your MyQuest account until your identity is verified.

100

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

But the app really would like it if I’d share my location data, for my convenience, of course.

110

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Then, when I click into any of the terms I’m expected to agree to, they are just … blank. Same for the “exercise my privacy rights” link.

100

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Then I move to the next screen, where it’s an explicit choice to opt out of the sale of your data. Ah, so you DO sell data. Not great on consistency there, friends. Or honesty.

100

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Sharing another #privacyfail, courtesy of Omron, a health device company. Open the app, and the front page promises “All data you share with us is securely stored and stays confidential. We never sell data.” I think, how lovely.

Omron app’s opening screen reassures you that “All data you share with us is securely stored and stays confidential. We never sell data”

100

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

I’m teaching about product requirements tomorrow (such a dry topic), and somehow got inspired and will now be analogizing product requirements with telling a great “epic” story, and Lord of the Rings features as my example. I even used Gemini to turn the slides into mythic vibes. First draft

Slide 1
The journey and why it matters
Milestones and quests
Focus is crucial
Defining success

Slide 2

For whom are we undertaking this quest?
We must manage many obstacles, constraints, and risks
The journeys the user must take to complete the quest

000

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

New in Google Drive. Perform a search, get this wickedly vague and somehow all encompassing consent. What the heck would I be agreeing to, and does not accepting somehow reduce the efficacy of the already-bad search function?

000

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Hey @washingtonpost.com, how on earth is this an appropriate privacy notice? 1. It’s unreadable 2. There’s no legally required California opt out of the sale of personal information

A Washington Post privacy banner that is gray text on a black background, making it completely illegible. It also has a big “I understand” button, the clicking of opts a person into data sales/sharing, and which does not meet the legal requirements to provide both notice and an easy (typically one-click) method of opting out.

010

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

I just caught the cat making licking gestures at the cabinet door - trying to get at the bag of food inside. I love this cat.

An orange cat with expressive whiskers looking up at the camera - a look that earned him a treat.

020

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

I love the little ways that Man on the Inside (season 2) is poking fun at AI. Lots of little Easter eggs. Here’s one.

A wonky image of a man, feature multiple mouths, multiple ties, multiple multidirectional thumbs. It is captioned “Let’s get to WORK!”

The spoken words in the episode are “yeah, sorry, I used AI to make that.”

130

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Leo is very proud of himself when he oversees the terrain from atop the wall. And yep, I have a long history of orange cats finding me. I couldn’t be luckier.

120

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

My patio brings me so much joy. Extra credit if you can spot the cat.

220

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Trying to opt out of data sharing/sales in the Uber app. It sends me to a website to log in (despite being logged into the app). In order to log in, I have to give permission to share my data with 3rd parties who may message me. #privacy

010

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

@chronotope.aramzs.xyz Hey Aram, can you explain what it means (and doesn't mean) when GPC inspector flags a site as "valid GPC spec not found"? For example, does it mean the site doesn't respect GPC, or that the attempt to respect GPC is poorly implemented, or...?

A screen shot of the Global Privacy Control Inspector that indicates that "GPC supported by website" and "valid GPC spec not found."

120

Mary Berk @mberk.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

CVS AI is making phone calls to me about my health, or health plan, or something that I won’t be responding to. I am the grumpy grandparent who is pissed off that technology is moving to fast, except my only ask is “for the love of god respect my privacy.”

Voicemail transcription that reads: “Hi, this is an Al care manager from CVS health. I just gave you a call to discuss your transition to CVS health. Please…”

000