[developer2]

Because they're not stupid and knew that the first thing out of naysayers' mouths would be "why is there no opt-out?!", which then gets followed up with "it shouldn't even be opt-out, it should be opt-in!". They tried to get out in front of the matter by even bothering to document the use of analytics, and implementing an opt-out mechanism at all. Unfortunately the nefarious ways in which intrusive analytics are used on the web has completely ruined the concept of gathering the most basic analytics in any situation.

They could have just added the analytics without saying anything. Which then leads to a) someone discovering the outgoing analytics request and reporting it on sites like HN, b) them having to defend the use of analytics and PR-fake-apologizing for not disclosing its use up front, c) implementing an opt-out, and then d) dealing with HN reports about it being opt-out instead of opt-in.

The privacy implications of analytics gets blown way out of proportion every time the subject is brought up. There is a huge difference between gathering basic information a la homebrew, and the way the large ad networks track and share your information across every damn website you browse. Yet there is this vocal group of people who treat them equally.