Is it a privacy violation for GitHub to suddenly publicly label Pro accounts?

Posted by Mizza on Tuesday January 22, 2019 @01:17AM
from the self-post dept.

This seems like a big thing to do with no announcement, I don't like it at all. It seems like a privacy violation. It also makes it seems to try to equate "paid GitHub user" with "professional software person", which is sneaky, manipulative and untrue.

Overall, I haven't been happy with the changes GitHub has made lately, I just want them to _not change anything at all_.

( 7 comments | 10 points | on HN )

Re:Is it a privacy violation for GitHub to suddenly publicly... by kevinherron on Tuesday January 22, 2019 @08:18AM (#18968002)

> I just want them to _not change anything at all_

Sure, and then we'll hear a never ending stream of whining about how they no longer innovate and GitLab is leaving them in the dust.

The changes are fine, get over it.

It's incredible how resistant to change people are.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is it a privacy violation for GitHub to suddenly publicly... by yellow_lead on Tuesday January 22, 2019 @08:34PM (#18974874)

It's pretty obvious that these changes are from Micro$oft. Redesigning the feed, adding a pro tag, etc. They all seem geared toward emphasizing the social aspect of GitHub, for future integration with LinkedIn or what we don't yet know. I agree that no change isn't realistic, but GitHub has always been a place to code, not link your LinkedIn profile or socialize. I fear that if they go down this route, they'll go to far and GitHub will lose what made it special in exchange for becoming a "Jack of all trades and a master of none."

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is it a privacy violation for GitHub to suddenly publicly... by miguelmota on Tuesday January 22, 2019 @02:37AM (#18966664)

It's as if Github felt bad for standard users that were already paying for repos after their free repo announcement and decided to give us all a "PRO" badge and a star to make us feel better. It could also be a marketing tactic to make people pay if want to become a "PRO" like the rest. I really do hope that badge is temporary.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is it a privacy violation for GitHub to suddenly publicly... by chatmasta on Tuesday January 22, 2019 @05:42PM (#18973383)

I've been waiting for someone to write a scraper to see how many paying individual accounts GitHub has.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is it a privacy violation for GitHub to suddenly publicly... by avitzurel on Thursday January 24, 2019 @11:10AM (#18989903)

How will this data help you?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is it a privacy violation for GitHub to suddenly publicly... by deca6cda37d0 on Tuesday January 22, 2019 @03:20AM (#18966816)

You can easily hide the pro label.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is it a privacy violation for GitHub to suddenly publicly... by pewdiepotpie on Tuesday January 22, 2019 @02:23AM (#18966605)

thus the exodus to gitlab or elsewhere, such as self hosting.

[ Parent | on HN ]