Encountered something strange with a new betting app—it blocked access to certain betting pools until I completed a series of “trust score” actions. That felt more manipulative than secure. Wondering if anyone’s done any deep dive into how these systems function and whether they’re actually designed to protect users—or just steer behavior?
Found your question super relevant. These gatekeeping tools often mimic the digital power structures from other industries. The way betting apps gate access reminds me a lot of how app stores regulate what users can or can’t do. There’s a solid breakdown of this control dynamic here: https://thebiographywala.com/the-apple-vs-android-divide/ . That piece opened my eyes to how deeply platforms influence user behavior under the guise of “protection.” Since reading it, I approach every gated feature with more skepticism and clarity.
Appreciate the depth of this discussion. Had a similar moment of doubt recently and wasn’t sure what to make of it. This kind of shared experience and insight helps a lot. Good to know others are thinking critically about these things.