[1vuio0pswjnm7]

There is another issue of potential/actual misuse that few are discussing.

That is, the (mis)use of experiments on browser users. "Field trials." This is enabled by the use of "updates". When users agree to updates they agree to let a corporation silently install and run new code on their computer at will, at any time.

This permits the company to create a situation where person A's browser is not quite the same program as person B's, there will be differences. Thus the corporation can run an "experiment". Both person A and person B might believe "I am using XYZ browser". The two users believe it is the same program. However there are differences. The differences can be added and removed through "automatic updates".

How do users maintain privacy in that situtation. The company behind XYZ browser can easily isolate groups of users with similar/different traits by conducting such experiments and observing user behaviour. "Cohorts". While the company may argue it is only testing software, there is an argument that it can also be testing users.

The words in parentheticals above can be defined and redfined any way you like. What is important is what the corporation is actually doing, not the label/name/terminology they assign to it.

[iamdamian]

I think what you’re saying is “despite this potential change, A/B testing by user attributes will still exist”. Is that right?