That's not true for all sites. If the page is static then it'll have no clue. If it's dynamic and running a client-side script to report this info back, and if that information is collected, then I can see how that might be a useful supplement for fingerprinting if the server owner is so inclined. At that point though I'm wondering why a security-conscious user is raw dogging the internet and allowing scripts to run in their browser without consent (NoScript saves browsers).
Even then it's unclear when/how altering the page to render it differently is commonly communicated back to the server, how much identifying information that talk-back is capable of conveying, and how we might mitigate those collections (wholesale abstinence and/or script control aside). What are the specific mechanisms of action we're concerned about? This isn't a faux challenge for the sake of hollow rhetoric. I'm ignorant, find the dialogue interesting, and am asking for help being less dumb. :)
I found some brief and useful discussion in this Privacy Guides thread. Seems like the concern is valid but minimal for all but the most strict/defensive postures.
Trying to validate this myself for Dark Reader without breaking out Wireshark and monitoring some big tech site while I toggle color modes (which I might do later if I think of it and find the time) I see Dark Reader is open source, an Open Collective member, and seems to engender little hand-wringing. The only public gripe I can find is this misguided Orion Browser feedback thread.
Thanks for the interesting diversion!
The right thing to do is offer a program to replace the battery. Even more right would be not designing anti-repairability into your products. 🙊
Throttling the processor to extend the life of the phone is a reasonable temporary alternative IF it's transparent and opt-in. Effectively forcibly downgrading the hardware spec of a device I own without even telling me is a serious breach of trust at the very least, no?
I agree the decision may have resulted in less e-waste but, even if so (and assuming all is well-intended), that can't justify hijacking consumer's belongings. That's a dangerous precedent to set.