3 ms·

If usage information is so valuable, why not ask for it instead of simply taking it?

• JohnFen 4y ago
  The answer I've gotten to this question from multiple sources is: because if we ask, not enough users say yes. Which speaks volumes.
  • flangola7 4y ago
    I've learned that a lot of people somehow made it to adulthood without a single lesson on what actual enthusiastic true consent is.
  • Vinnl 4y ago
    The followup to that is: '...and they'll switch to alternatives that don't ask.'
• swyx 4y ago
  because 80% of users dont opt in, dont opt out, they roll with the defaults, and when asked dont mind that youre getting anonymized telemetry back. most users are not privacy maxis like those motivated to comment 3 threads down on hn posts like these. they want to get their stuff done and expect the product to improve and understand that we have evolved these practices as pragmatic tradeoffs.
  • chrisweekly 4y ago
    Not to mention it's usually possible to opt out (as it is with Next.js/Vercel).
  • SanderNL 4y ago
    They trust us and we are eroding that trust by invading their privacy for bs reasons. They do not understand, they just shrug “I guess devs need this”. They expect us to know, to care, because it is our job. We don’t and it’s sad.
    • deafpolygon 4y ago
      And because of this erosion, more people are pushing back on telemetry. Imagine if everyone decided to get together, detail what telemetry they needed and why and outline how users can help - protect their privacy and actually Do The Right Thing(tm) that more people would be willing to care, and maybe contribute.
• thrashh 4y ago
  The type of people who volunteer are different from the general population. That’s why things like public opinion surveys have to be random and why jury duty selection isn’t volunteer.