[ozar]

It looks like the folks at Mozilla might soon offer an opt in option to users that want to participate in anonymous data collection of their surfing habits:

Mozilla Stealth Data Project Could Be Just What The Internet Needs

I'm usually too busy trying to erase all tracking to opt in myself, but we might want to keep an eye on this to make sure that it doesn't turn in to an opt out plan.

[hazel]

Why the hell would anyone want to take part in this? Most people are horrified at the thought of anyone tracking their browsing habits.

[smolloy]

Hmmm.... Seems a bit creepy. They say the data will be anonymised (which satisfies most of my concerns) -- and given that we can read the source code if we want, we can be sure they're telling the truth. Wouldn't be so sure with Explorer.

Still, I'm pretty sure I won't be signing on to this!!!

[Freston]

And this project benefits me, the end user, how exactly??



I'm not running my payed for OS on my payed for computer over my payed for internet connection to keep marketing departments busy.

[ozar]

Originally Posted by Freston

And this project benefits me, the end user, how exactly??



I'm not running my payed for OS on my payed for computer over my payed for internet connection to keep marketing departments busy.

The marketers would respond saying that having this information helps them to deliver directly to you the types of ads that you'd like to see, and are interested in, which of course for me is none.

Funny how they like to make it sound like it's all for your benefit.

[elija]

I can see Opera becoming very popular, or IceWeasel which
as it is a Debian fork probably won't have that code in it.

[smolloy]

Originally Posted by Freston

And this project benefits me, the end user, how exactly??

I don't think it's supposed to directly benefit you. They want more accurate information on, for example, the popularity of different websites. Presumably this information will then be used by popular websites to increase the amount they charge advertisers, and by advertisers to decrease the amount they pay unpopular websites.

It's very similar to television usage statistics that are gathered by volunteers with a set-top box. I suppose if people volunteer to have their TV viewing recorded then there will also be people who will volunteer for the internet scheme.