You'll Subscribe to Your Router, Too | The First Router Bribes Are Here

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Iceman228-T@reddit

Never choose a popular brand for something everyone needs is a good rule. By now you've plenty of options for good routers which don't require flashing over something else or building your own.

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blackyoda@reddit

And people don't get why capitalism is so broken we are soylent green.

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PocketNicks@reddit

Wrong, I'll keep owning plenty of things.

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PocketNicks@reddit

No, I won't. Stop making false claims about me.

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CrAkKedOuT@reddit

Renting routers from you IP is nothing new 🤷‍♂️.

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Ploddit@reddit

Nah. I'll keep using my own hardware and OPNsense.

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pmjm@reddit

That works for now, until you need a new hardware standard and can only get the stuff that has bribed its way into the country.

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Ploddit@reddit

It will be a very long time before any OPNsense update requires different hardware, and this current bit of US government insanity is not going to last beyond the current administration.

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HurtFeeFeez@reddit

Cute, you think your going to vote in a legitimate election again someday.

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Ploddit@reddit

Sigh... doomers.

How about we meet over at r/politics

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HurtFeeFeez@reddit

Sticking your head in the sand is certainly a choice.

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havoc1428@reddit

Yeah, and so it giving up and doomposting on reddit about it.

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PaulTheMerc@reddit

Some of us are non-Americans watching this dumpster fire from countries America has harmed in some way.

Which...its a long fucking list of countries ;)

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PaulTheMerc@reddit

Once the genie is out of the bottle, good luck putting it back. I'm more worried about 3 letter agency backdoors in everything.

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MrLyle@reddit

and this insanity is not going to last beyond the current administration.

oh man, you're going to be so fucking disappointed in the not so distant future.

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Ploddit@reddit

Nah, I don't think I will, but we can meet back here in three years and discuss.

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Darkchamber292@reddit

All the ISP has to do is forbade you from using your own router unless it's on their approved whitelist. Which yours won't be on it

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The great thing about the open Internet is the open protocols to access it. ISPs creating extra hurdles they themselves need to jump through to have vendor lock in for their own equipment doesn't make economic sense for them. It makes them have to support more devices, maintain those lock in software channels, and make sure they are secure. That's why almost every ISP will let you have your own hardware, it actually makes you a more profitable customer for them.

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berryer@reddit

You'd think that, but I've just been booted off Spectrum because my SB8200 is no longer allowed. It's not like they've stopped using DOCSIS.

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NotSoFastLady@reddit

They sent me a new modem for free because the one they gave me was no longer supported. I'm not sure what the big deal is about their modems unless they charge you to rent it. I've never rented mine from Spectrum. Never had any issues, use my own router too. You can build your own too.

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Klaritee@reddit

Comcast and other ISPs give out gateways (XB8/XB7 etc) that don't have real bridge modes. They will still blast 40MHz wide hidden networks even during "bridge" mode. It also uses twice the power if you care about that.

This isn't my thread or picture just an example: https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fj6hb1lurdlqc1.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1440%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D39752941ddd8b737c7141bd22332c0cffee822e7

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NotSoFastLady@reddit

I'm definitely not trying to defend ISPs, especially a brand so horrible they rebranded. OP mentioned Spectrum and based on my experiences with Cox and Xfinity, Spectrum has been very good. Save for their business class, sent me several unqualified techs, one smoked a brick of weed before walking into our office. Wasted 3 hours and I ended up fixing it myself with someone competent on the phone.

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berryer@reddit

adding onto what the other poster has mentioned:

My immediate family has had issues with ISPs (Windstream) refusing to acknowledge returned hardware, and sending them to collections over it. After this happened they had tried to demand a receipt from their next ISP (Cox IIRC) for the return, and had to get the police involved to get a receipt. I have to move every year or two to keep rent down, and do not want to deal with that whole circus.
Austin PD has raided homes due to traffic on unsecured wifi (though I'm struggling to come up with links offhand) - that would also be a concern for e.g. the hidden networks mentioned in the other posts, used for things like XFinity

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xMau5kateer@reddit

im still using my sb8200 fine on spectrum, its still even on the approved modem list...

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berryer@reddit

yup, from further discussion with them it's because the address switched to "high-split" apparently, which is both irreversible and not documented. I was using it just fine two weeks ago as well.

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AHrubik@reddit

The reason your 8200 was "booted" off is because they need you to have a better modem with a better tuner. Cable frequency is limited so they can only increase speeds by forcing customer to get modems with tuner that can handle more channels within the same frequency space.

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berryer@reddit

you'd think - but they still support the SB6120, 6121, 6141, 5100, 5101, and 5101N. My point was just that they can disallow a given modem on a whim, though.

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AHrubik@reddit

If memory serves the SB8200 also had a Intel SOC that was prone to certain problems. I may be thinking of a different modem though.

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peva3@reddit

Interesting, did they do some big version upgrade of DOCS IS and it wasn't backwards compatible?

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berryer@reddit

nope. Dumb story short I had to move out & back in of the same apartment unit, was previously using the SB8200, and their system now refuses to register it (despite it being able to reach the registration page just fine)

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peva3@reddit

That's wild. Though now that I think about it, in the early 2000s I had to use a Verizon modem a few times to register with their system, then I used my own hardware with a spoofed MAC, so maybe that wasn't actually allowed lol.

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Darkchamber292@reddit

Definitely not

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AnEagleisnotme@reddit

Here in france, it's essentially standard to have a locked down router, so no

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peva3@reddit

I would not be using France for regulatory norms.

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pmjm@reddit

I've had to put my router behind spectrum's router. It's stupid. But they have an actual monopoly here since we don't get cell coverage and there's no other company that services this corner of Los Angeles.

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BigCommieMachine@reddit

I don’t think they would do this because it would be a HUGE headache for business customers. A ISPs don’t really have customers by the balls like they used to with the rise of cellular home internet and Starlink.

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Plank_With_A_Nail_In@reddit

You can use your own router between the ISP's and your own network. Mine can be set to modem mode only for that purpose too.

They can't know what hardware you are using inside your own network.

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ritz_are_the_shitz@reddit

you can spoof their routers. people already do it. for example: https://pon.wiki/guides/masquerade-as-the-att-inc-bgw320-500-505-with-the-was-110/

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ML7777777@reddit

You can always spoof your hardware address and make/model.

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trash-_-boat@reddit

I wanna know what protocol could they even use to know what router you're using. That data isn't passed down absolutely anywhere downstream or upstream. There's MAC addresses, but those are easily spoofed.

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Darkchamber292@reddit

They could use a combination of MAC Address and other hardware identifiers. If it's not on their whitelist, it doesn't get an IP. Comcast already does this. They just allow you to whitelist your MAC via their app

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LAUAR@reddit

!RemindMe 3 years

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BloodyLlama@reddit

I mean my opnsense box does 10 gigabit just fine. It's going to be a long ass time before I consider than an onerous limitation.

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tat_tvam_asshole@reddit

yes, but when does current administration end 🙋‍♂️

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Ploddit@reddit

Jan 2029. Even better, its ability to actually get anything done will be neutered Jan 2027.

Vote, people. Vote.

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-Purrfection-@reddit

Wouldn't affect the FCC

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turtlelover05@reddit

Did you miss the Supreme Court case involving the Voting Rights Act that will almost certainly result in redistricting that will give Republicans a few more House seats before the next midterm elections?

Please don't be overconfident. Overconfidence didn't lead to good results in 2016 or 2024.

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Ploddit@reddit

It ain't gonna be enough for them.

Overconfidence isn't relevant either way. I always vote.

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turtlelover05@reddit

You might always vote, but you might convince someone else not to bother. I know many who were apparently convinced they didn't need to vote because "it was a done deal".

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pmjm@reddit

I really hope this is how it plays out.

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tat_tvam_asshole@reddit

oh, i was implying i wouldn't take it for granted, given the nature and temperament

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metakepone@reddit

Even his supporters are getting pissed. How about their nature and temperament?

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tat_tvam_asshole@reddit

are you daft?

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RBDash_@reddit

Wait what happens in 2027?

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Pikalima@reddit

2027 is after the midterms, which I presume is what they meant.

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airfryerfuntime@reddit

This shit is 100% here to stay.

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redsaeok@reddit

A router is just a collection of network cards. You can build them. For home use, it’ll never be impossible for those that want to do it.

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pmjm@reddit

Right, until you need WiFi 8.

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redsaeok@reddit

Yes, new wifi cards will exist for desktop computers. Or USB dongles for laptops. A router just takes that network traffic and moves it between interfaces. Any modern operating system can do this.

The post mentions OpenWRT - that’s just an OS that replaces some router firmware.

One can easily build their own little computer to do routing. The convenience of home routers is they bundle an access point, DHCP, NAT gateway, sometimes VPN, and all of this is already implemented as software solutions that run on any modern OS. You just need to tell it your WiFi 8 card is installed, install the desktop OS driver, and bobs your uncle.

Realistically this is just misguided legislation, and a pain in the ass to the average person who doesn’t have a network certification (ie you).

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NastyEbilPiwate@reddit

Separate access point hardware exists.

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MumrikDK@reddit

Hardware DRM handshake required by ISPs through law!

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pellets@reddit

My ISP doesn’t allow me to use my own router. You’re fortunate for now.

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Freaky_Freddy@reddit

If you can set DMZ in your ISP router you can just put your own router behind it

Not ideal, but it should work for most things

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Warskull@reddit

They'll still charge you $10 per month for the router rental fee.

The issue is ISPs are starting to make their routers mandatory and only rent them as a way to squeeze out an extra fee monthly. Historically you could use your own router or straight up by the router.

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Ploddit@reddit

Technically I also have to use my ISPs ONT/router, but they provide the password so it's trivial turn off the firewall features and forward everything to my OPNsense device.

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BloodyLlama@reddit

And even if you couldn't for most people there's not really any downsides to being behind a double NAT.

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drakoman@reddit

In fact, sometimes you’re stuck with CG NAT

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letsgoiowa@reddit

Maybe 0.01% of people like us will do that.

I had Opnsense set up but my tp-link ax1500 was good enough and easier to deal with for a long time. Now that it's going to be out of band for updates it's time to turn on the mega firewall of death.

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mtrx3@reddit

OPNsense + M920q with dual 10 GbE NIC my beloved.

Too bad most consumers go for craptastic store bought all-in-one router/switch/AP combos.

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starcube@reddit

Because most people aren't going to build the car if they need one to drive from A to B?

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mtrx3@reddit

That'd be assembling the actual PCB from components. Considering the sub we're in, I'd assume most people are familiar with installing an operating system to an X86 platform.

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starcube@reddit

Considering most consumers aren't in this sub, the metaphor is accurate. Most people don't even know how to change their WiFi password and gou expect them to set up an operating system from scratch?

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alphagatorsoup@reddit

Some don’t even understand what a wifi password is. Or that they have one, I was helping a friend of my family a few weeks back with their tech, when I asked about their wifi they said “I don’t have one” I said they do and their response “well it doesn’t ask me when I connect so I definitely don’t”

So saying anyone can just install opensense is not a viable ask lol

Now I could see some ISPs providing it as an option, but I more than likely see isps charging a “fee” to cover the cost of their router subscription or some BS.

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Blastergasm@reddit

Some people have a very hard time understanding that other people aren’t like them.

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mtrx3@reddit

I don't expect them to, yet how does that make it a good thing that they rely on closed router software which might be exploited, or worse yet, require a subscription?

I'd imagine even most users on this sub are running store bought routers, or even plain ISP provided modems alone.

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Bert306@reddit

Probably most people already rent the router through their ISP. Although if you buy one out right it would suck to pay a monthly fee for hardware you already own.

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havoc1428@reddit

My ISP gave me a router, not rented, its mine. Although my ISP is a municipal utility and not a private corporation, so that might have something to do with it lol.

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MoonStache@reddit (OP)

Although if you buy one out right it would suck to pay a monthly fee for hardware you already own.

What do you mean? I'm not aware of any planned mechanism to force consumers who own hardware to have to pay some fee for that. I've been buying my own routers, modems, etc. for well over a decade. Honestly, anyone who doesn't is doing themselves a massive disservice.

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KushKingKyle@reddit

Xfinity will charge you to use your own equipment. I’m stuck using their Xfi gateway in “bridge” mode (as a modem) to prevent this.

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MoonStache@reddit (OP)

I have Xfinity and do not pay any fee for that. Never did for spectrum either.

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KushKingKyle@reddit

The charge is levied as an increased cost for “unlimited data” rather than a direct charge applied. I don’t pay an equipment fee as part of my contract, so it ends up costing an additional few bucks a month to ditch them entirely.

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MoonStache@reddit (OP)

Still not totally following. So it's data caps only in the case of using your own hardware? In any case I'll personally always pay a premium for control and privacy. Understand I'm fortunate to be able to do that though.

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skai762@reddit

Fee is $25 if you use their xfi gateway and $30 if you don't.

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Verite_Rendition@reddit

Those fees are only applicable for old plans.

Comcast effectively stopped charging for data/imposing usage caps on their regular plans nearly a year ago when they rolled out the current 300/500/1000/2000 plans and 5 year guarantees. Even if you don't use their equipment, you still get unlimited data.

Though there's not much of a reason not to use their gateway, even if you just run it in bridge mode. They have full control over your modem regardless (they provide the firmware), so owning your own modem doesn't bring you much control or save you any money. At best, the interface on the S34 and its ilk is nicer than Comcast's.

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Klaritee@reddit

Though there's not much of a reason not to use their gateway, even if you just run it in bridge mode

It still spits out hidden networks in bridge mode causing interference with your personal router.

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Verite_Rendition@reddit

I can't speak for the other gateways. But in the case of my XB8, I've checked and I cannot find any hidden networks coming off of it in bridge mode. So it has not caused any issues with the wireless networks coming off of my router.

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Klaritee@reddit

I have confirmed it on both the XB8 and XB7 in bridge mode. The 2.4GHz interference is bad enough to cause two of my cameras to have connections issues. Buying my own modem fixed the problem immediately.

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biscuitsalsa@reddit

You can rent their equipment for free and then use your own and still get unlimited data. I’ve been doing this for years

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Vb_33@reddit

How

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biscuitsalsa@reddit

Rent their equipment, activate the internet, plug in your own equipment

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KushKingKyle@reddit

Interesting!! So you still have the Xfi gateway, just sitting unused?

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xb9j@reddit

I had them like 5 years ago and the promo where you had to “rent” their gateway thing was cheaper than just the internet service, but they didn’t make me use it so just plugged my stuff in and returned the gateway in the shipping box it came in when I moved.

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MumrikDK@reddit

You guys are renting routers? as some sort of noted fee?

Where I'm from the ISPs ship them when you tie yourself to 3 months of initial subscription or whatever, and then never want them back.

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snmnky9490@reddit

I have my own router but I think almost everyone I know pays like an extra 10 bucks a month for Comcast to lend them a shitty one

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KatiushK@reddit

Yes, around here I rent the router. 2 or 3 € / month.

My ISP got a couple different models and if you want you can "upgrade" the router you're renting.

Stupid ass model honestly cause they could just... Charge me more and not include it as an extra line at the bottom of the invoice.

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MumrikDK@reddit

Stupid ass model honestly cause they could just... Charge me more and not include it as an extra line at the bottom of the invoice.

But this way you get to feel like a sucker paying for something you don't want!

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KatiushK@reddit

Ho no don't get me wrong I like the routers of this ISP. Honestly most ISPs in my country have pretty sick routers.

It's always been the model, they provide a "box" with the suscription.
Basically no one here have its own router. Even the nerds I know. We all just ride with the box provided. And since they're pretty good, nobody changes their.

It's honestly very ok. I just don't know why they split the invoice and add a "renting the box" line.

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Bert306@reddit

I'm not renting anything, but some places you get "deals" that include renting the equipment.

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kuddlesworth9419@reddit

In the UK you just get given one for free on my broadband and internet services.

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Rafxtt@reddit

In Portugal they are given for free, but we have to give them back to ISP if we change ISP. No penalties if we only give back the router+charger, without cardbox/papers etc.

Routers are decent, actually is ONT+router in the same device since fiber at home is everywhere.

If you want to use your own router/ONT+router you can, ISP provides credentials but you'll pay the same for internet service if you have ISP router+ONT or not.

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kuddlesworth9419@reddit

I don't get fiber to the home, they like to just do it to the exchange and then use the preexisting infrastructure to the home. It's pretty stupid if you ask me but the speeds are good enough to not worry about it. Having grown up with dial up internet speeds having 70mbps is pretty nice.

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Rafxtt@reddit

Here fiber to home is (almost) everywhere. Not 100% of homes, but it's very high.

Being a small country helps and years ago EU funds paid for fiber expansion in smaller villages in the interior where fewer, mostly older people live - otherwise ISP's wouldn't spend money to put fiber in there. That's how my in-laws got fiber.

70mbps it's not bad. Actually 40~50mbps is enough except for heavy downloads or several video streams at the same time.

Yeah the first time I had internet was using a good'old 56kbps modem.

A few months ago I upgraded from a 500/200mbps (download/upload) to 1gbps/500mbps - and paying less than before.

I didn't get symmetric 10gbps because it would be ~20€/month more expensive and I really don't need it.

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kuddlesworth9419@reddit

It would be very very nice to be able to download entire 4k BluRays in a mater of minutes. But it's not that big of a deal for me anyway because I always have other stuff to do.

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RealJyrone@reddit

Any ISP I have dealt with will remove the router rental fee if you use your own hardware

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comelickmyarmpits@reddit

How it works in my country is that some just let you use the router as long as you have broadband connection from isp. If you change the isp they take away the router.

They advertise that router is free bcz its not ours in the first place.

Then there are some who says if we keep using their broadband for certain amount of time let's say 1 or 1.5 years then after that router becomes ours

I am from second way , we had our broadband connection since 2020 and router is fully ours , and I have spare one as well but it's a smaller one with max supported lan speed of 300mbps and 2.4ghz wifi only

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GraXXoR@reddit

Yes, my Sony Nuro 10Gbps media converter I use for my business is leased from the ISP... as in if I ever quit Sony I have to send it back to them...

So renting is a thing.. But my apartment bulding has direct 1Gbps Ethernet to all rooms (who pay $10 per month) so I just use a regular old second hand Cisco my old company released for "take home by staff" about 10 years ago... so not renting but still have to pay for access.

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RogueHeroAkatsuki@reddit

I still wait for demonstration how those backdoors in Huawei routers work.

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cambeiu@reddit

Well, Americans have been voting for this bullshit for years now and both Democrats and Republicans have answered the public's sinophobia with TikTok bans, Huawei bans, Chinese EV and solar bans, TPlink bans and whatnot.

That is one of the reasons why I left the US in disgust.

Enjoy the result of your choices.

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windowpuncher@reddit

We have actual evidence that tiktok is sending user data to china and Huawei did have bugs in the US telecom industry. China has also been wiretapping the SMS texting system for years so no, it's not bullshit.

Some of it probably is, like having a backdoor in a solar power converter makes absolutely zero sense, but china absolutely spies on the US. Russia does as well, and obviously the US spies on those two countries as well as many others I'm sure. You're naive if you think anything otherwise.

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Shredded-Juice@reddit

Who owns TikTok's US business as of 2026? Them sending over data to China should be of least concern to Americans.

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windowpuncher@reddit

No, absolutely not. Don't try to just wave this away.

"X is worse so you shouldn't care about Y."

That's how we got here in the first place. Stop excusing shit because other stuff is worse. It is, in fact, possible to care about more than one thing at a time. It's why I don't use TT at all. I never have and I never will. I take my privacy where I can get it.

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Shredded-Juice@reddit

I've yet to see anything happen to Americans related to privacy at a personal level through the use of social media under Chinese ownership.

Americans don't seem to realize their outrageously stupid audacity to question Chinese social media when they're literally under a surveillance state whose infrastructure is provided by a company whose CEO bears a surname that is phonetically the same as that of a particular fish.

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windowpuncher@reddit

Once again, you've missed the point. You're excusing one because the other exists.

Chinese surveillance is bad.

US surveillance is also bad.

Both are bad.

Do you understand yet? You can question both without excluding either.

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Shredded-Juice@reddit

Chinese surveillance is bad.

Debatable, because Chinese surveillance isn't actively being used for crimes against humanity.

US surveillance is also bad.

It is objectively much worse than China for the average Joe, including Americans.

Do you understand yet? You can question both without excluding either.

I will question American hypocrisy and myopia regarding surveillance more than American fearmongering about China.

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windowpuncher@reddit

You are something else

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greggm2000@reddit

I went and replied to the “crazy”, here in this thread. Regretting it now, lol.

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greggm2000@reddit

Debatable, because Chinese surveillance isn't actively being used for crimes against humanity.

Sure it is. Not in the US, as far as we know, but inside China? Definitely.

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Shredded-Juice@reddit

Sure it is. Not in the US, as far as we know, but inside China? Definitely.

Does China use WeChat to track journalists and then bomb them to death? No.

Does the US allow its terrorist partner to use backdoors in WhatsApp to track, threaten and bomb journalists to death? Yes.

China isn't even remotely comparable to the USA in terms of what can be enacted as a consequence of mass surveillance.

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greggm2000@reddit

The CCP appreciates your opinion. I’m not going to go further with this though, not in this subreddit. If you want to know why I said what I did, it’s not difficult to find supporting info online.

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Shredded-Juice@reddit

Yeah, supporting info provided by "news agencies" funded by USAID, NED and a variety of other extensions of the US government.

Meanwhile the US helps kill people every day and commit genocide using backdoors in its tech.

I don't need lessons on morality from imperialist puppets like you.

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greggm2000@reddit

“imperialist puppets”? Really? Lessons on morality?! All I did was disagree with you on one single thing you said. Maybe you’re high. Maybe you’re off your meds. No idea, and I don’t actually care.

Like I said, not going to discuss politics here. Ah well, if you want to be ranty for whatever reason, have at it. Mods might get annoyed though, since this isn’t a politics subreddit.

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Shredded-Juice@reddit

Anybody who diminishes the evil perpetuated by the USA and instead goes on tangents about China or Russia is an imperialist puppet.

Maye if you stopped being on drugs and the decadent lifestyle that the USA has made you become addicted to, then you could apply critical thinking to arrive at a similar conclusion as mine regarding the USA.

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greggm2000@reddit

Dude, listen to yourself. You’re ranting. I didn’t go off on any tangent. Get some help, k?

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sicklyslick@reddit

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/22/nsa-huawei-china-telecoms-times-spiegel

The National Security Agency created “back doors” into networks maintained by the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei, according to a report released on Saturday.

The report comes from a document provided by the former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and disclosed by the New York Times and Der Spiegel.

The Times and Spiegel reports said that in an operation code-named Shotgiant, the NSA gained access to the company's servers in Shenzhen, obtaining information and monitoring communications between executives.

The Times quoted Plummer as saying: “The irony is that exactly what they are doing to us is what they have always charged that the Chinese are doing through us.”

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Vb_33@reddit

Think of the CCP

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beneficiarioinss@reddit

The same ccp that forced geekerwan to remove their video calling out Chinese smartphone brands selling worst SoCs but sending the good ones to reviewers. Reddit is delusional thinking that china is pro consumer

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Sensitive-Rate-1177@reddit

They didn't say that.
They said they won't take US or US' companies word on Chinese companies without proof.

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Sevastous-of-Caria@reddit

Same with the solar inverter accusations with no source or something close to soft evidence. I work on the both chip design and scada business and the bullshit is high with these fearmongering chinese hardware.

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BloodyLlama@reddit

SCADA? People worried about vulnerable PLCs? Surely any PLCs and associated SCADA systems should be airgapped. Defense in depth is all well and good, but If an attacker has already penetrated your airgapped network you're probably fucked regardless.

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RogueHeroAkatsuki@reddit

Just checked out of any images with those rogue inverters. Yeah, I didnt found any. Most likely they just used multipurpose boards inside inverters and suddenly its 'security threat'. Both China and US have so many nukes that methods like this are just joke. However you cant even satisfy government agencies hunger to spy on their own citizens...

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Kyanche@reddit

I bet chinese hardware spies less than american hardware does lol. They're not motivated to milk the users for everything they're worth.

Or american software makers.. I'm looking at you Microsoft.

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nonaveris@reddit

Ask Northern Telecom.

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FearMeIAmRoot@reddit

Trust me bro

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Bobosauruss@reddit

Set sail boys! Pirating we shall go.

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zopiac@reddit

You wouldn't download a router.

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RAMChYLD@reddit

Try me

Downloads PFSense and builds a PC with 5 network adapters from two and a half decades of accumulated spare parts)

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sniff122@reddit

Still find it funny that the font was pirated.

And I absolutely would download a router, opnsense

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The_Radian@reddit

The Internets dying, lets just kill it already. Jesus.

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AppropriateRub4033@reddit

The US is such a fucking shithole country lmao

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pppjurac@reddit

I kinda understand this like..

"Audi has 99% of market share of all Quattro drives! We need to protect our market. Ban them! US consumers can buy Shit4Drive truck from USA. On good old leaf springs that last decades!"

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Cheeze_It@reddit

As a network engineer, I laugh at this level of stupidity.

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pppjurac@reddit

It is just to legalize than thick envelope that goes to Mango Mussolini to let your gear be sold in US.

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gruntduck@reddit

Network analyst* lol

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Cheeze_It@reddit

No no, engineer.

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neddoge@reddit

As a French guard, I fart in your general direction.

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_FUCKTHENAZIADMINS_@reddit

Not sure why the video is titled that at all considering this has very little to nothing to with paying a subscription for a router.

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No_1_OfConsequence@reddit

He likes the drama.

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WTFAnimations@reddit

He is appealing to the "You Will Own Nothing And Be Happy" doomer crowd.

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wickedplayer494@reddit

I remember when the FCC behaved honestly in favor of the consumer with mandating CableCARDs so people didn't have to rent TV set-top boxes from their provider if they wanted to use TiVo or something else. Those days are long gone.

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bryanisbored@reddit

I just got a notification my orbis are 30 days away from stopping support lol.

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Jayram2000@reddit

Glad I bought my TP link when I did, dodged a real bullet

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LetsHugFoReal@reddit

Okay, not buying another Netgear

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cambeiu@reddit

Will deserved. You fuckers have been voting for this for years now, TikTok ban, Chinese EV bans, Huawei bans and all.

That is why I left the US in disgust. Hope you get a lot more shoved up your butts.

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OverlyOptimisticNerd@reddit

Currently working on my exit from this county. I’m envious of you for already getting out.

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cambeiu@reddit

Good for you. Getting out of the shithole is the right thing to do. Congrats and wish you the best.

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pfak@reddit

Can we get a tl;dw? Steve is too ranty lately.

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M3chdrag0n@reddit

Here’s the breakdown on how we're being pushed toward "Router-as-a-Service": The ISP Rental Trap: ISPs are already moving toward mandatory router rentals. By banning a huge chunk of foreign-made consumer routers, the government is effectively killing the third-party market, leaving us at the mercy of ISP-provided hardware.

The Subscription "Layup": Steve argues that this is a perfect setup for ISPs. When you can’t easily buy a high-end ASUS or TP-Link because they haven’t paid for "conditional approval," you’ll be forced to pay that $7–$10 monthly rental fee forever.

Security as a Paywall: Existing routers might lose security updates by March 2027. Once your current gear becomes a "security risk," the path of least resistance for most people will be the ISP-managed subscription model.

The "Lobbying" Game: Companies like Netgear are already spending hundreds of thousands on lobbying to get their products "approved," essentially using regulation to create a monopoly while smaller, cheaper competitors are locked out.

The End Goal: It’s not just about security; it’s about control and recurring revenue. Between ISP lobbying and government interest in backdoors/data tracking, the era of "buy once, own forever" for networking gear is being systematically dismantled.

Bottom line: If you don't want to pay a monthly subscription just to have Wi-Fi, start looking into OpenWRT or building a dedicated pfSense/OPNsense box while you still can.

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Tumleren@reddit

Thanks chatgpt

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M3chdrag0n@reddit

Gemini in this case, but.. Seriously? It's a tldw of the video.. Sheesh.

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Asleeper135@reddit

The rants are warranted, but yeah, I'm tired of hearing bad news.

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elhoberto@reddit

I mean ignoring it won’t keep it from happening.

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pfak@reddit

Yes, but I don't need to spend 38 minutes getting enraged about it.

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Kyanche@reddit

As much as I like Steve, this is exactly the kinda crap I was complaining about when everyone decided they wanted "youtube personalities" instead of just reading a damn article with good pictures and graphs. I could skim the article and get what I wanted. Now I gotta sit there watching some dude try to put on a circus act for us lol. And I really hate reading charts in youtube videos!

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MoonStache@reddit (OP)

So don't then. But don't ask me to distill the news down for you. If you're not interested in being informed, then ignore the post. If you want to spend less time on it just watch / listen at 2x.

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pfak@reddit

I'd read an article. I'd watch a ten minute non-ranty version of Steve. I miss his analytical videos a couple years back :'(

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ThankGodImBipolar@reddit

Is it really about ignoring it, or about hearing it delivered in a less insufferable way?

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xen0us@reddit

Yes, it's about ignoring it, because you don't have to watch him if he's insufferable to you.

No one is pointing a gun at your head telling you to watch his video and then come to whine here about it.

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MoonStache@reddit (OP)

Welcome to the modern world. You don't have to watch the shit covered fan, but eventually that shit is going to get slung at you.

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Sevastous-of-Caria@reddit

You dont need to watch it and write down this comment? Just asking for tldw works. Spreading negativity complaning about negativity.

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f3xjc@reddit

Here's my attempt:

It's illegal to introduce new routers to US consumer market. Existing models are grandfathered. Security updates are ok until some expiration date. Manufacturer can ask for exceptions.

Basically they move from a black-list regulation to white-list regulation.

I mean telecom equipment already had to show they are conform to the FCC rules, so it already was whitelist like. Then the rant is when it goes from lab measurements to friend of the party.

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labe225@reddit

Lately?

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EvilDog77@reddit

The TLDW is at the 10.5 hour mark.

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260X@reddit

As an Asian, it's surprisingly just how much BS American citizens tolerate on a regular basis.

I mean, even a fractured arm can potentially bankrupt you if you're a U.S citizen! Saw an old Reddit post the other day where the guy was charged close to $100,000 for a broken arm surgery.

So much for the American dream!

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tarlack@reddit

But Universal health will tax me more and give me less choice is the absolute craziest argument. This was my American coworker response, it’s slowly changed since he got laid off and lost his healthcare. He is absolutely screwed if he gets sick again, he has high blood pressure and has a family history of stroke.

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cool_temperatures@reddit

Tolerate? We have no choice. We want universal healthcare like the rest of the world, but the rich won't allow it. The rich bought the politicians here and there is nothing we can do.

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faverodefavero@reddit

So, revolt?

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cool_temperatures@reddit

Oh sure let me ruin my life and go to prison. Sounds like a plan

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Neosantana@reddit

I mean sure, but how do you think your country was formed?

Straight up sabotage, terrorism and rebellion.

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n3onfx@reddit

Keep getting slow-cooked then I guess.

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cool_temperatures@reddit

No other choice for me or other regular people. Hopefully some day some extraordinary people out there will help bring about needed change.

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faverodefavero@reddit

Regular people need to organize, get together, equip, plan

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faverodefavero@reddit

Not if most of the population does it together

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dapotatopapi@reddit

May I suggest eating them?

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deadfishlog@reddit

Don’t worry, the fact that he made this hard hitting video will definitely change everything

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Far_Piano4176@reddit

you already know that your attitude here will not fix any problems, but what you don't seem to realize is that it won't make you feel any better either.

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deadfishlog@reddit

I feel great thanks

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Far_Piano4176@reddit

uh huh

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deadfishlog@reddit

Would I feel better if I watched tech tuber rage bait videos?

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Far_Piano4176@reddit

no, i don't watch them either

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Sevastous-of-Caria@reddit

I rather take being aware about these bullshit without having to go through a downwards spiral of trade documents and american propaganda media outlets talking about their asses.

The alternative is being clueless as a pigeon (the whole country and the world) and being unaware in a democracy about shady shit is just dystopia.

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LeoNatan@reddit

Oh look, another cOnSuMeR RiGhTs clickbait outrage nonsense from TardoNexus.

Why are people posting these clickbait craps from this dumb channel? Are people really that addicted to outrage to click on this clown’s thumbnails?

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