Those are minor if certificates errors are not ignored.
Since the original issue is that the ssl errors are ignored, then all those https downloads are downgraded to http downloads in practice (no need to mitm to attack).
Or to say it another way, due to ignoring ssl errors, all those https urls were giving a wrong sense of security as reviewers would think them secure when they were not (due to lack of validation of ssl).
I enjoy reading a lots, but I prefer dialogs over long descriptions. I don't visualize how the characters / places can looks from descriptions. Unless the writing is really clear, I may struggle if the layout of the scene is important (say a crime scene with a description of the room, its exits, ...).
I sometimes skip description of the characters physique because I know that I won't remember it a few page later, and it usually do not matter in the story anyway (and if it matters, it is usually reminded to the reader because aphantasia is not the only reason a reader may not remember how a character is dressed or looks like).
The stock Camera app on my Android phone recognises QR codes. This is on Android 11 on a Pixel 3. I think this has been the case for a few versions of the OS (but don't have access to old versions to check).
I personally taught myself programming by reading and doing during high-school then got a formal CS education at university.
Currently working at one of the big guys as you call them, and I would say that many coworker seems to have a mix of formal education and self-education by building.
https://gdpr.eu/eu-gdpr-personal-data/
They are explicitly listed as example of PII.