3 ms·
Snapchat may see this as "playful", and I doubt they gave it too much thought. I see it as putting their business interests before their users's privacy, and I
by skuhn 12y ago
Snapchat may see this as "playful", and I doubt they gave it too much thought. I see it as putting their business interests before their users's privacy, and I think it's a breach of trust (however minor).
The core problem is that even if Snapchat grows up enough to put some internal restrictions in place that prevent using end user data in this way, there will always be another company that has access to the same data with no compunctions about how to use it.
I wish that societal pressure could put a stop to this sort of thing, but it seems pretty unlikely to happen. I think the only way to prevent misuse of end user data is if companies can't gather it in the first place.
- flyinglizard 12y agoIt balances out against the advantage to the engineer being poached (presumably to be better compensated). It's like targeted ads - sure, they breach on your privacy, but at least you get semi-useful stuff instead of total junk.
- skuhn 12y agoI can't imagine getting enticed away from a job by this kind of maneuver. All of these people are already, without exception, aware of Snapchat's existence. They probably also know that Snapchat, like everywhere else, is hiring like mad. In terms of feeding the applicant pool, this is probably even less effective than the constant stream of LinkedIn recruiter mail. And more privacy invasive to boot. Snapchat's target audience here also lives in the wrong city, since the article claims they are targeting Uber HQ in San Francisco. Snapchat's office is in LA.
- Findy3ti 12y agoIs this just not doing the same as the app currently does? It takes your location and provides a number of filters based on that. I'm not sure how them providing a filter around uber's location is any different, in regards to a users's privacy, to them providing a filter when you are in Paris for example
- rylee 12y agoWith all due respect, you are way blowing this out of proportion. This is the same thing as Snapchat currently supports — a silly little sticker based on your location. Just because it's an advertisement instead of Big Ben doesn't make it any more of a "breach of privacy".