iPad privacy Catch-22

[Dave Farber <dfarber () me com>]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Richard Perlman <rdp () yikes com>
> Date: June 3, 2010 1:38:32 PM EDT
> To: dave () farber net
> Subject: iPad privacy Catch-22

> Dave, for IP if you wish:
>
> I have discovered what appears to be a privacy Catch-22 with the iPad/
> iPhone/iPod-Touch mail app. In the Mail preferences there is an option to
> "Load Remote Images." I would normally prefer this setting because it it
> possible to associate an email address with an IP Address by using unique
> URLs for images. Unfortunately, if "Load Remote Images" is Off, there is no
> (obvious) way to view/download the remote images.
>
> On my iPod I decided to always "Load Remote Images" since the image only
> actually loads when the message is viewed. I can spot the spam messages that
> get past my filter and delete them in the message list without ever opening
> the message. This works whether I delete the messages individually, by
> swiping across the message in the preview list (which is somewhat awkward),
> or by using the Edit->Delete function. I usually use the swipe method in my
> inbox, but, when I check through my spam-box I use the Edit-Delete method
> because of the volume.
>
> Now the problem: On the iPad, to show off the expanded screen size, Apple
> has changed the way Edit->Delete works. Not only is the message checked for
> deletion on the message list, but, it is now also displayed on a stack in
> the message view pane. Unfortunately, the message is downloaded BEFORE it is
> displayed, which means if "Load Remote Messages" is on, the images are
> downloaded too.
>
> So, the user is presented with sort of a Sophie's choice: Do not download
> images, and have no way of viewing them - even on messages from known or
> trusted sources, or download all of the images, even the ones most likely to
> present privacy issues.
>
> I believe there are two simple logical resolutions: 1) An option to
> "Download Remote Images" on the message viewing pane, or a preference to
> "Display messages marked for Editing."
>
>
> Richard



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