Re:Telemetry in Front-End Tools
by 1vuio0pswjnm7 on Wednesday April 05, 2023 @10:21PM
(#35463327)
As a user, I disagree.
The only users that developers defending telemetry seem to care about are the ones who are ignorant/silent, e.g., the ones who ignore surveys. For example, if users on HN explicitly state they oppose telemetry, then developers replying on HN will disregard or downplay such statements and instead refer to "the majority of users", "all your users", or some such.
If this majority of users are silent, not stating their views on telemetry as are users on HN, then that does not mean they are on the same side as developers. It would be "biased framing" to assume otherwise. If informed consent was required, would these users agree with developers and consent to telemetry. We do not know.
Look at what happened when Apple introduced App Tracking Transparency in 2020. The change made users choose whether to allow apps to track. Only 3% chose to allow it.
The only users that developers defending telemetry seem to care about are the ones who are ignorant/silent, e.g., the ones who ignore surveys. For example, if users on HN explicitly state they oppose telemetry, then developers replying on HN will disregard or downplay such statements and instead refer to "the majority of users", "all your users", or some such.
If this majority of users are silent, not stating their views on telemetry as are users on HN, then that does not mean they are on the same side as developers. It would be "biased framing" to assume otherwise. If informed consent was required, would these users agree with developers and consent to telemetry. We do not know.
Look at what happened when Apple introduced App Tracking Transparency in 2020. The change made users choose whether to allow apps to track. Only 3% chose to allow it.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/05/96-of-us-users-opt-o...
What would happen if "Telemetry Transparency" was introduced and users were always forced to choose whether to allow telemetry.
If telemetry is enabled by default, then that is not user choice.
Is it disingenuous for developors defending telemetry to pretend that user ignorance and silence equates to informed consent.