They Made A Smoul

do this

FYI artists and writers: some info regarding tumblr's new "third-party sharing" (aka selling your content to OpenAI and Midjourney)

You may have already seen the post by @staff regarding third-party sharing and how to opt out. You may have also already seen various news articles discussing the matter.

But here's a little further clarity re some questions I had, and you may too. Caveat: Not all of this is on official tumblr pages, so it's possible things may change.

(1) "I heard they already have access to my data and it doesn't really matter if I opt out"

From the 404 article:

A new FAQ section we reviewed is titled “What happens when you opt out?” states “If you opt out from the start, we will block crawlers from accessing your content by adding your site on a disallowed list. If you change your mind later, we also plan to update any partners about people who newly opt-out and ask that their content be removed from past sources and future training.”

So please, go click that opt-out button.

(2) Some future user: "I've been away from tumblr for months, and I just heard about all this. I didn't opt out before, so does it make a difference anymore?"

Another internal document shows that, on February 23, an employee asked in a staff-only thread, “Do we have assurances that if a user opts out of their data being shared with third parties that our existing data partners will be notified of such a change and remove their data?” Andrew Spittle, Automattic’s head of AI replied: “We will notify existing partners on a regular basis about anyone who's opted out since the last time we provided a list. I want this to be an ongoing process where we regularly advocate for past content to be excluded based on current preferences. We will ask that content be deleted and removed from any future training runs. I believe partners will honor this based on our conversations with them to this point. I don't think they gain much overall by retaining it.”

It should make a difference! Go click that button.

(3) "I opted out, but my art posts have been reblogged by so many people, and I don't know if they all opted out. What does that mean for my stuff?"

This answer is actually on the support page for the toggle:

This option will prevent your blog's content, even when reblogged, from being shared with our licensed network of content and research partners, including those that train AI models.

And some further clarification by the COO and a product manager:

zingring: A couple people from work have reached out to let me know that yes, it applies to reblogs of "don't scrape" content. If you opt out, your content is opted out, even in reblog form. cyle: yep, for reblogs, we're taking it so far as "if anybody in the reblog trail has opted out, all of the content in that reblog will be opted out", when a reblog could be scraped/shared.

So not only your reblogged posts, but anyone who contributed in a reblog (such as posts where someone has been inspired to draw fanart of the OP) will presumably be protected by your opt-out. (A good reason to opt out even if you yourself are not a creator.)

Furthermore, if you the OP were offline and didn't know about the opt-out, if someone contributed to a reblog and they are opted out, then your original work is also protected. (Which makes it very tempting to contribute "scrapeable content" now whenever I reblog from an abandoned/disused blog...)

(4) "What about deleted blogs? They can't opt out!"

I was told by someone (not official) that he read "deleted blogs are all opted-out by default". However, he didn't recall the source, and I can't find it, so I can't guarantee that info. If I get more details - like if/when tumblr puts up that FAQ as reported in the 404 article - I will add it here as soon as I can.

Edit, tumblr has updated their help page for the option to opt-out of third-party sharing! It now states:

The content which will not be shared with our licensed network of content and research partners, including those that train AI models, includes: • Posts and reblogs of posts from blogs who have enabled the "Prevent third-party sharing" option. • Posts and reblogs of posts from deleted blogs. • Posts and reblogs of posts from password-protected blogs. • Posts and reblogs of posts from explicit blogs. • Posts and reblogs of posts from suspended/deactivated blogs. • Private posts. • Drafts. • Messages. • Asks and submissions which have not been publicly posted. • Post+ subscriber-only posts. • Explicit posts.

So no need to worry about your old deleted blogs that still have reblogs floating around. *\o/*

But for your existing blogs, please use the opt out option. And a reminder of how to opt out, under the cut:

The opt-out toggle is in Blog Settings, and please note you need to do it for each one of your blogs / sideblogs.

On dashboard, the toggle is at https://www.tumblr.com/settings/blog/blogname [replace "blogname" as applicable] down by Visibility:

For mobile, you need the most recent update of the app. (Android version 33.4.1.100, iOs version 33.4.) Then go to your blog tab (the little person icon), and then the gear icon for Settings, then click Visibility.

Again, if you have a sideblog, go back to the blog tab, switch to it, and go to settings again. Repeat as necessary.

If you do not have access to the newest version of the app for whatever reason, you can also log into tumblr in your mobile browser. Same URL as per desktop above, same location.

Note you do not need to change settings in both desktop and the app, just one is fine.

I hope this helps!

new vegas edition

Tw talk of predatory behavior and admin bright. This is hopefully the last time I'll speak on this topic I've mentioned in some comments and reposted some but I want this to get the reach it deserves. DJ Kaktus also has allegations against him. No matter how you feel of the Bright situation please do not replace Dr Bright with Dr Shaw. Do not give another predator the popularity and the ability to victimize more people. Do not let what happened with Admin Bright happen again. DJ Kaktus doesn't care about victims he is trying to get more popularity don't. let. that. happen. If you care about victims if you don't want people to be SH and or SA talk about this tell people about this make this known! Tell everyone you know in the community! DO NOT STAY SILENT ABOUT THIS!

I'm editing this I might still repost it because I wanted to add some stuff. I might edit or repost the other one I made that mentioned this issue too instead of making but after this I'm done talking about this. I'm honestly getting annoyed at how this topic has gotten more people interacting with my account more than any of the shit I actually worked hard on. And I honestly don't want to keep talking about this issue. So this will be the last time I talk about it. I'm done going back and forth with people on it especially with the nature of some of the comments I received. And I'm sure as shit not going to repost from those accounts because they don't deserve the attention. To start if you are someone that dmed me or commented on this post and the other one genuinely wanting more information and expressing genuine concern, this isn't about you. I haven't received much negative comments about this but due to the nature of this issue one is too much. To those that's first reaction was to assume I was a victim of DJK and or call me a LIAR for making these posts it would honestly be funny given how tone deaf it is if it wasn't about such a serious topic. I did mention on a previous post about being an SA victim myself maybe that's where the confusion came from, so to those confused by that I apologize. But for those of you getting pissed and calling me a liar for this (especially those that are for getting rid of the Dr Bright character) I wonder, how long it took you to believe admin Bright was a predator? Or did you all just jump on that boat the second everyone else did? What did you learn from that situation? Because it clearly wasn't to believe victims. Because if you actually cared about the SA and SH and pedophilia that happens in this community, or in general, your reaction to the first person you see talking about this wouldn't be accusing them of lying. Especially since THERE ARE SO MANY OTHERS talking about this. All you have to do is look for it. I even rebloged one. You don't have to go that far down through my blog to see that. You can also see how many people rebloged that post and mine clearly knowing what we are talking about. But you clearly don't care to do so, you just want to blindly like someone else no matter how many people it may hurt. YOU SHOULD ALL BE FUCKING ASHAMED.

Editing again for anyone who wants the screenshot of the allegations against DJK Here is the link I reposted. https://www.tumblr.com/gray-knight/710740211584368640/tw-mentioned-or-predatory-behavior-and-admin

gofundme.com

Donate to Help Nesma and her family evacuate, organized by Mena K

Nesma Ahmed is raising funds to help her family evacuate from Gaza. Currently, Gaza has been… Mena K needs your support for Help Nesma and h

truly at a loss for words. nesma @nesmamomen has been fundraising on this website since fucking march and is so tantalizingly close to her goal yet shes only bringing in $5-$10 every couple of hours or so. please take this burden off her shoulders after she has already lost everything

Google is going to start scraping all of their platforms to use for AI training. So, here are some alternatives for common Google tools!

Google Chrome -> Firefox

If you’re on tumblr, you’ve probably already been told this a thousand times. But FireFox is an open-source browser which is safe, fast and secure. Basically all other browsers are Chrome reskins. Try Firefox Profilemaker, Arkenfox and Librewolf! Alternatively, vanilla Firefox is alright, but get Ublock Origin, turn off pocket, and get Tabliss.

Google Search -> DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo very rarely tracks or stores your browsing data (though they have only been known to sell this info to Microsoft). Don’t use their browser; only their search engine. Domain visits in their browser get shared. Alternatively, you can also use Ecosia, which is a safe search engine that uses its income to plant trees! 🌲

Google Reverse Image Search -> Tineye

Tineye uses image identification tech rather than keywords, metadata or watermarks to find you the source of your image!

Gmail -> ProtonMail

All data stored on ProtonMail is encrypted, and it boasts self-destructing emails, text search, and a commitment to user privacy. Tutanota is also a good alternative!

Google Docs -> LibreOffice

LibreOffice is free and open-source software, which includes functions like writing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, formula editing and more.

Google Translate -> DeepL

DeepL is notable for its accuracy of translation, and is much better that Google Translate in this regard. It does cost money for unlimited usage, but it will let you translate 500,000 characters per month for free. If this is a dealbreaker, consider checking out the iTranslate app.

Google Forms -> ClickUp

ClickUp comes with a built-in form view, and also has a documents feature, which could make it a good option to take out two birds with one stone.

Google Drive -> Mega

Mega offers a better encryption method than Google Drive, which means it’s more secure.

YouTube -> PeerTube

YouTube is the most difficult to account for, because it has a functional monopoly on long-form video-sharing. That being said, PeerTube is open-source and decentralized. The Internet Archive also has a video section!

However, if you still want access to YouTube’s library, check out NewPipe and LibreTube! NewPipe scrapes YouTube’s API so you can watch YouTube videos without Google collecting your info. LibreTube does the same thing, but instead of using YouTube servers, it uses piped servers, so Google doesn’t even get your IP address. Both of these are free, don’t require sign-ins, and are open source!

Please feel free to drop your favorite alternatives to Google-owned products, too! And, if this topic interests you, consider checking out Glaze as well! It alters your artwork and photos so that it’s more difficult to use to train AI with! ⭐️

I painted the eye from the old world blues dlc on a clay ornament

Paper Mache Muggy Moment

My two dogs

one thing i didn't know about nader, who runs the account @abdalsalam1990 to promote the corresponding gofundme for his older brother abd al salam, is that his father currently has cancer. can you imagine being 17 years old, under siege with a one year-old niece suffering from malnutrition, and trying not to get murdered by israel like your cousin and uncle were, knowing that your father's cancer can't be treated because of how costly it is? i'm 29 and i know i can't imagine that. but for nader, this is real. this is his life.

he's doing his best to ask around for help. but he needs all the help he can get. as everyone should know by now, the costs of basic necessities in gaza have been inflated to an extreme degree. people like to imagine that in a crisis situation, supply and demand would no longer apply, capitalists would give resources away, and people would be cared for. that's simply not the reality. many people in gaza live in tents, but those who don't still pay exorbitant rents for bombed-out apartments. the cost of any food at all, even if it's rotten, is exorbitant. and cancer treatment is expensive. nader and his family have to deal with all of this while trying to save up what they can in hopes that the rafah crossing will re-open and they'll be able to evacuate.

all that said: how can you help nader? if you have a little money, you can donate. if you have a blog, you can spread this post and others about him. and if you have the time, you can go to nader's blog and talk to him directly and ask how you can help. he'll answer, and his english is pretty good.

gofundme.com

Donate to Help Abd AL Salam and his family get through this war inGaza, organized by Ahmed Alanqar

**Humanitarian Support Request: Abdul Salam Al-Anqar** … Ahmed Alanqar needs your support for Help Abd AL Salam and his family get th

vetting info: #4 on the gazavetters spreadsheet

my mom n i are trying to afford a divorce + move out. im disabled + cant work rn, so i rly need help w covering things like meds and dr visits so i can get my health issues treated so i can work 🥺

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