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this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2023
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Technology
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You would honestly be surprised. Captcha isn't nearly as effective at stopping spam. It only stops the lowest hanging fruit.
Most of the "spambot" developers, started using AI-based tools a while back.
It only helps stopping the lowest-hanging of fruit.
Also, due to the way federation and all works.... well, just remember, there are a million ways for spammers to get access currently...
Not just AI tools. They outsource captcha solving to cheap human labour.
You are 100% correct, I had forgotten all about that happening.
Sure, I agree that the current implementation isn't the most robust in stopping all conceivable bots. Heck, it's quite poor as some others have pointed out.
The reality is, though, that it is currently making a difference for many server admins, now, today.
Let's use a convoluted metaphor!
It's as if each lemmy instance has some poorly constructed umbrellas (old captcha). Now a storm has arrived (bot signups) and while the umbrella is indeed leaky, but the umbrella operator is not as wet as they would be without it. Now imagine that these magical, auto-upgrading umbrellas receive an update during this storm that removes the fabric entirely while they work on making a less leaky solution. It would be madness right? It's not about improving on the product, that's desired and good! It's about making sure the old way of doing things is there until the newer solution is delivered and present.
As a user of this "magical umbrella", I'd be scrambling because the sudden removal of a feature that was working (albeit poorly and imperfectly) doesn't exist at all anymore. Good thing I have a MUCH bigger umbrella that I pay $$$ for (cloudflare) to set-up in the meantime. However this huge umbrella is too big, and if I don't cut some holes in it, it'll be to "dark" to function. So not even this solution is perfect.
Don't hear me wrong- I am not advocating for its removal. I am not saying it's not currently effective!
Let's be perfectly honest, it is THE most effective tool at our disposal currently.
I am just saying, as this platform explodes in size- since the implementation for the captcha is also open source, it's only a matter of time before it's rendered completely inoperable- to where it only stops the easiest attacks.