Good to be a little 'evil'?

Sagar

Just read this: Sometimes it is good to be a little evil

The author argues that rather than just sit on or sell the tracked/collected data it should be used for a pervasive experience; for example if he logs into a traffic website from home VS he logs into it from his handheld device when outside, he is looking for different types of information in either case. If tracking information can provide for such an experience then so be it.

IMO sounds harmless and rather an interesting POV. Sites rarely stop at that though don't they? While am all for an open world with free flowing information (with the appropriate self-imposed bounds if I can call it that) the whole "we will show you what you need to know" aspect worries me a little. There is even a compelling TED talk (sorry couldn't find the link) on these lines as to how websites deciding what you need to see is in some ways a setback to the information experience.

What do you folks think about this?

Sameer

The thing about evil vs good is that its predicated on intentions, not actions. What the data is used for is often the deciding factor, and thin lines get crossed all the time, sometimes inadvertently.

PrateekPanda

I like the article published on that blog and I do fairly agree to it. I am especially interested in how a website can respond depending on what device the user is logged in. I have experienced the same, when using a mobile phone to access websites, it is mostly when one is travelling, a lot of information about the current location and daily usage statistics can be used to show relevant information. We have to agree that internet speeds on cellphones have still a long way to go and of course 3G isn't still popularly affordable. In that case, I believe it becomes so important to get only relevant information.

At the same time, like @Sameer says, thin lines often get crossed. This is something which needs to be seriously taken care of. Misuse of information is why most users hate to share too much information. The whole user data analysis field is huge and has huge potential, only if implemented correctly.

I would hate it if I miss out on a nice Samsung mobile phone, coz my usage statistics show that I love HTCs. This is also another aspect which comes into picture when user data is used to show relevant information. This setback needs to be taken care of too. Really interesting topic raised by @Sagar.

Sagar

Here's the thing: Google or its brethren can legally do whatever they want with this information - the recent changes to their Privacy Policy have been widely discussed on these lines.

The troubling aspect is that beyond a point our dependency on these tools/services coupled with them deciding what they think we want to see has all the makings of a disaster. As @PrateekPanda rightly puts it, if Google or Facebook decides to show you only HTC phones based on your past usage you might miss out on other brands. Even the recent decision by Facebook w.r.t. its personal messages - they will only notify you about friends messaging you, in case a non-friend entity messages you won't know it unless you explicitly check the Other tab - is on these same lines.

Nothing illegal about it again but it does make me wonder if we are moving away from a web experience which would understand usage in the background over a period of time to one where under the guise of personalized information we are essentially being bombarded with suggestions - like scrolling through a restaurant menu and picking what one wants to eat that day. I am thankful restaurants don't work that way else you would eat the same thing every time you visit the place!

Welcome to Pluggd.in Forum!

Categories

Recent Activity

Top Posters