Slashdot Mirror
Amazon's A9 Drops Retained Data Methods
eldavojohn writes "The recent update to Amazon's A9 service has removed its ability to record searches. A9 (which now uses Windows Live & Alexa) used to tout the ability to save every single search the user made, which required a login. Now, they no longer require you to log in and have dropped the recording of searches from their toolbar. What they added was aesthetic changes to the search site. What they dropped was the A9 Instant Reward, the A9 Toolbar, the A9 Yellow Pages, the A9 Maps (including Block View), the user diary, bookmarks, and history. Although they claim that A9 is merely 'shifting its priorities to areas where it can provide the greatest benefit for customers,' this smacks of a move to avoid the ethical controversies and pressures that come with retaining your user data. What does the rest of Slashdot think about retaining search data? Is it a liability or an asset?"
I suppose that depends on what data is being stored, and why...in the case of Amazon, I personally could care less if someone else could look at which CD's I'm interested in. I think the decision should be left to the end user.
Quiz: True or False -- On a scale of 1 to 10, what is your middle name?
So are they saying that you no longer get the A9 discount at Amazon if you use the search page? That's the only reason I was using it! Without that discount, I, and I'm sure others, will no longer use their search.
Let's assume I'm not searching for too outlandish things. Let's pretend I do not look for 70's pr0n featuring dogs, or if I do, that my fiance is aware of it and condones it. Being fairly normal and open means I have nothing to hide. They can retain all the data on me they like. It's no skin off my back, if you will.
The only but in that statement is that I don't want them to retain search- or private data under two circumstances:
1) If the search data affects the answers given in future searches
2) If it results in spam or theft of any kind
Now, providing it's securely stored, doesn't affect answers to future queries and helps them enhance their services, I really don't mind.
If it's the user's choice, that simplifies things but also complicates the end-user experience. In our world of "auto-magical" applications, ease of use is high on the requirements charts. However, this is also the only true solution I can come to. If you had to click a EULA that said, "The government may acquire this stored information for prosecution
My work here is dung.
Hey, when you have a family to support, every penny counts! And besides, I hardly ditched Google, I just sent a search through there once or twice a week just to keep the discount active, then I usually ended up putting the same search into Google anyway :P
Web sites that do collect "non-essential" data should give the customer the opt in or opt out, depending on the nature of the site. Sites like banks that must create audit trails for certain transactions need to have full disclosure.
Slashdot gives me the option of posting and submitting stories under my user-id or anonymously. Everyone knows that I, davidwr, posted this message at the time indicated above. Any paying subscriber can look up "davidwr" any time in the future and see all the messages I posted. If I wanted to be private, I could be "Anonymous Coward."
I avoid newspaper sites tha require a login because I want to eliminate the possibility they will tie what I read today with what I read tomorrow.
Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
It's a shame to lose A9 maps, the block view was a very useful feature. Google Map's integration of satellite photos is impressive but lets face it, most of us view the world from the ground not the from the sky, so the block view is helpful for seeing what your destination looks like. Unfortunately, they only got around to photographing the downtown core of a handful of major US cities.
Support Right To Repair Legislation.
When A9 first debuted, it used google results, so it didn't really matter. Now it uses msn's search, it isn't nearly as good, but once or twice a week instead of typing in a url, I'll just search A9 for the title of the website.
1.5% may not be much, but it takes so little effort that it is worth it.
I just checked and the pi/2 discount is still in effect, so I'm not sure if that actually is going away or if they just aren't promoting it any more.
http://www.popularculturegaming.com -- my blog about the culture of videogame players
Most of the time the stuff I look for isn't anything special as near as I can tell. But I'd ultimately prefer that my search data is not saved. What's innocuous today, could get one landed in jail, embarassed, or worse years later. When I browse a real bookstore, no one is following me around noting every book I pick up or cover I glance at. I'd like the same consideration given to my online searches. I have nothing to hide (right now), but I still don't want to be spied on, unless it's by attractive women with amorous intent! ;)
To the making of books there is no end, so let's get started
This is a classic case of Slashdot blinders, thinking the entire world is black or white. Here, let me help you:
Retaining data is obviously a liability. It's invasive of my privacy. It gives companies data on me that they can sell to other companies without my permission, and those other companies send me annoying pre-screened offers of credit. My info will eventually end up in a big database in the basement of the FBI, where they'll try to link me to terrorism by playing a big connect-the-dots game. 'He searched for the Anarchist Cookbook and Catcher in the Rye. Arrest his ass.'
On the other hand, retaining data is obviously an asset. It allows companies to cater their services to my personal needs. It lets them suggest products that I may not have even known existed. My information builds company worth, which stimulates the economy and provides employees with jobs. It facilitates retailer/customer trust and loyalty, which benefits both parties.
I'm sure I could go on and on with more arguments for both sides, but I hope you've gotten the point by now: the world isn't black and white, business decisions are hard, and the rest of the world already knows these things.
This post expresses my opinion, not that of my employer. And yes, IAAL.
Click that link (If you're not (name), click here).
Then, using your browser (any browser; I use Firefox, you can use whatever you want) go to the amazon.ca home page. Or go to Slashdot. Or Google. Or just close the browser. You've been signed out of Amazon.
The sign-out instructions are telling you how to get back to the Amazon home page after you log out, sending a signal to the next person using the computer that you were never logged in to Amazon. Many web sites use a similar procedure. You can even close your browser after you click that link and the next person to use the computer won't see you as having logged in.
Disclaimer: I work for Amazon. This is not the official opinion of my employer.
For more information, click here.