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AWS can see traffic and usage. They can predict the "next big thing". Facebook allegedly did the same with their VPN services that analyzed what apps people wer

by foepys 8y ago

AWS can see traffic and usage. They can predict the "next big thing". Facebook allegedly did the same with their VPN services that analyzed what apps people were using on their phones.

bordercases 8y ago
Not that I disbelieve you, but it would be interesting to see a source for that claim.
- hobofan 8y ago
  The Wikipedia article about Onavo[0] has multiple articles linked about it. [0]: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onavo https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onavo
mcqueenjordan 8y ago
There's probably no way for me to convince you otherwise, but I'll say it anyway: This isn't how the world works.
- hobofan 8y ago
  Gathering intelligence and moving into their partners/supply chains territory is literally the DNA of Amazon. I know of no other company that does it as verociously as Amazon, who went after every partner that helped them grow (fulfilment, delivery, third party sellers, manufacturers). And the example of Facebook with Onavo is also not plucked out of thin air[0]. Sure, it's not how all of the world works but for the big players, it's a important tool in their toolbox. [0]: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onavo https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onavo
  - cowb0yl0gic 8y ago
    "verociously": a portmanteau of "ferociously" and "voraciously". ;)
    - hobofan 8y ago
      Whoops! I'll stand by it :D
- foepys 8y ago
  Industrial espionage is a real thing, if you believe it or not.
deanCommie 8y ago
AWS knows more precise numbers than the public, and they may know an app or a service is really popular before it crests in the public zeitgeist, but I don't believe they would know earlier enough than the rest of the public to make competitive product roadmap decisions.
- Wowfunhappy 8y ago
  Does Amazon allow human employees to review the analytics of client sites? If I was a big customer like Netflix, I would demand that a restriction like this be written into the contract. Of course, Amazon could lie, but now if Netflix has a reason to suspect wrongdoing, they could sue.

by foepys 8y ago

AWS can see traffic and usage. They can predict the "next big thing". Facebook allegedly did the same with their VPN services that analyzed what apps people were using on their phones.

bordercases 8y ago

Not that I disbelieve you, but it would be interesting to see a source for that claim.

hobofan 8y ago
The Wikipedia article about Onavo[0] has multiple articles linked about it. [0]: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onavo https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onavo

mcqueenjordan 8y ago

There's probably no way for me to convince you otherwise, but I'll say it anyway: This isn't how the world works.

hobofan 8y ago
Gathering intelligence and moving into their partners/supply chains territory is literally the DNA of Amazon. I know of no other company that does it as verociously as Amazon, who went after every partner that helped them grow (fulfilment, delivery, third party sellers, manufacturers). And the example of Facebook with Onavo is also not plucked out of thin air[0]. Sure, it's not how all of the world works but for the big players, it's a important tool in their toolbox. [0]: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onavo https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onavo
- cowb0yl0gic 8y ago
  "verociously": a portmanteau of "ferociously" and "voraciously". ;)
  - hobofan 8y ago
    Whoops! I'll stand by it :D
foepys 8y ago
Industrial espionage is a real thing, if you believe it or not.

deanCommie 8y ago

AWS knows more precise numbers than the public, and they may know an app or a service is really popular before it crests in the public zeitgeist, but I don't believe they would know earlier enough than the rest of the public to make competitive product roadmap decisions.

Wowfunhappy 8y ago
Does Amazon allow human employees to review the analytics of client sites? If I was a big customer like Netflix, I would demand that a restriction like this be written into the contract. Of course, Amazon could lie, but now if Netflix has a reason to suspect wrongdoing, they could sue.