Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by duxup 2621 days ago
I'm working on a side project and the setup is basically that you get to see all the data I have on you. Granted this is a tiny project that is largely just for me, but as a policy that seems like that is the most clear cut way to go.
2 comments
soared 2621 days ago
The big data players have tools for this. For example:

https://datacloudoptout.oracle.com/registry/

link
duxup 2621 days ago
That's interesting, I wonder how that came about.
link
soared 2621 days ago
Yeah kind of cool. I believe tools like that came from either mass opt-out tools by the Network Advertising Initiative or the Digital Advertising Alliance.

http://optout.networkadvertising.org/?c=1

link
JohnFen 2620 days ago
Those tools are worthless, though. I wonder if Oracle's is any better.
link
soared 2620 days ago
They accomplish what they intend to do, its just that most users want them to do more.

If you use that tool on all of your devices (and don't clear your cookies/etc) you will be opted out of those vendors tracking. But that doesn't accomplish since that type of targeting only makes up maybe 15% of targeted advertising. All that tool does is get you shittier ads. (Oracle's just shows you what data they know about you, it doesn't actually delete or opt you out).

link
JohnFen 2620 days ago
> They accomplish what they intend to do, its just that most users want them to do more.

That hasn't been my experience. When I've used the tools, the opt-outs have failed for the majority of the companies in the list (as reported by the site itself).

That said, as you point out, they're pointless even if they worked correctly as you still have to engage in all the blocking that you usually do regardless.

> (Oracle's just shows you what data they know about you, it doesn't actually delete or opt you out).

Ah, so Oracle's offering is worse -- worthless by design rather than implementation.

link
JohnFen 2621 days ago
But could I both delete the data you have and tell you not to collect more?

Transparency is great, but all by itself it means little.

link
duxup 2621 days ago
Yeah I don't see why not.

Generally just showing all the data is there to inform, and then the user can not participate or say as you ask delete.

I was thinking I'd put a delay on the actual deleting of data to prevent something malicious.

Granted this is all just a personal side project primarily for my personal use and education ;)

link