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Gitlab cancels plan on tracking user behavior on GitLab.com (gitlab.com)

602 points by tyteen4a03 · 2543 days ago · 271 comments on HN

Article summary

Gitlab has cancelled plans to track user behavior on GitLab.com. The decision came after a comment from the CFO sparked a heated discussion. The comment was perceived as dismissive of users' concerns about data privacy. The company's change of heart suggests that user feedback played a role in the decision.

Main themes

  • data privacy
  • open-source community
  • company-user relationships
  • telemetry and tracking
  • online etiquette
  • business models and data collection

What commenters say

  • Some argue that the CFO's comment was nasty and dismissive of users' concerns about data privacy.
  • Others believe that the reaction to the comment was overly aggressive and entitled.
  • The open-source community's tolerance for rude behavior is seen as a problem by some, while others argue that it is a natural consequence of open participation.
  • There is a disagreement about whether companies have the right to collect and sell personal data, with some seeing it as a necessary part of their business model and others as a violation of users' rights.
  • Some commenters think that users should have the option to opt-out of data collection, while others believe that it is not a significant issue.
  • The discussion also touches on the idea that companies may be taking advantage of users' data without their knowledge or consent.
  • There is a divide between those who see data collection as a harmless practice and those who view it as a potential threat to privacy and security.