This is an important sentiment that I want to respond to. Because on one level, I absolutely agree. But the nature of the web is different. HTTP is not software

This is an important sentiment that I want to respond to. Because on one level, I absolutely agree. But the nature of the web is different. HTTP is not software that you "buy and run". It's a back and forth communication, request / response. Analytics in this context is a kind of self-awareness. I'm not spying on you the user, I'm listening to our conversation, so that I can improve where I make mistakes, and help serve you, the customer/user/visitor better. Now if I stick a cookie in your pocket that keeps listening after you've left, or I let 3rd parties listen in to our conversation, then absolutely, that's spying.