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It's ironic that HN can simultaneously abhor[1] and applaud[this] progressive invasions of privacy on the internet. [1] http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=490

It's ironic that HN can simultaneously abhor[1] and applaud[this] progressive invasions of privacy on the internet. [1] http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4907609 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4907609

lazerwalker 14y ago
I'd disagree that it's a natural progression to move from collecting anonymous (or at least pseudo-anonymous) use data from what your users actively do on your web site (which is very useful for measuring usage and making design improvements) to cross-referencing that with data your users did not give you for the explicit purpose of identifying them.
- dchuk 14y ago
  There was a post on here a few weeks ago where people were specifically blasting KISSMetrics for using an Evercookie style tracking system, so I'd argue that HN hasn't come up with a coherent opinion of the moral implications of analytics and conversion tracking yet.
- tomasien 14y ago
  STRONGLY disagree. The point of using analytics is to put metrics behind your decisions. You need your data to give you insights, but you need these insights to be generalized to larger demographics. I.E. this type of person that is my potential customer doesn't convert on my landing page. Personal targeting is a TOTALLY different thing. It's not about optimizing technology, it's about optimizing sales WITHOUT optimizing technology.
karolisd 14y ago
It's not quite apples to apples, Google Analytics prohibits associating personal information with web analytics information.
jbail 14y ago
Not really. There is a big difference between the posts you're referring to and the privacy concerns inherent in each. The one underhandedly fills in information that the user hasn't explicitly given a site. That's abhorrent. Another offers a solution for incorporating multiple analytics services into a website a sane way. That's worthy of applause. They are completely different products/services serving completely different needs.
jimmytucson 14y ago
Sort of like we simultaneously censure and aspire to getting bought out by a larger software company? Remember: it's one thing when it affects you as a user. It's another thing when it affects your users. It just depends on which hat you're wearing.

lazerwalker 14y ago

I'd disagree that it's a natural progression to move from collecting anonymous (or at least pseudo-anonymous) use data from what your users actively do on your web site (which is very useful for measuring usage and making design improvements) to cross-referencing that with data your users did not give you for the explicit purpose of identifying them.

dchuk 14y ago
There was a post on here a few weeks ago where people were specifically blasting KISSMetrics for using an Evercookie style tracking system, so I'd argue that HN hasn't come up with a coherent opinion of the moral implications of analytics and conversion tracking yet.
tomasien 14y ago
STRONGLY disagree. The point of using analytics is to put metrics behind your decisions. You need your data to give you insights, but you need these insights to be generalized to larger demographics. I.E. this type of person that is my potential customer doesn't convert on my landing page. Personal targeting is a TOTALLY different thing. It's not about optimizing technology, it's about optimizing sales WITHOUT optimizing technology.

karolisd 14y ago

It's not quite apples to apples, Google Analytics prohibits associating personal information with web analytics information.

jbail 14y ago

Not really. There is a big difference between the posts you're referring to and the privacy concerns inherent in each. The one underhandedly fills in information that the user hasn't explicitly given a site. That's abhorrent. Another offers a solution for incorporating multiple analytics services into a website a sane way. That's worthy of applause. They are completely different products/services serving completely different needs.

jimmytucson 14y ago

Sort of like we simultaneously censure and aspire to getting bought out by a larger software company? Remember: it's one thing when it affects you as a user. It's another thing when it affects your users. It just depends on which hat you're wearing.