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Ask HN: Is there an ethical approach to tracking users?

6 points by DevX101 ↗ HN
I've got an idea for an app that could provide value to the user but would require tracking their browsing history.

How do I do this without being a douche?

4 comments

[ 6.8 ms ] story [ 24.3 ms ] thread
bdfh42
Is there an ethical reason for Tracking users? Just asking. Off hand I cant think of one.
tfitzgerald
Depends on your definition of "tracking users". Netflix tracks your viewing history to recommend new movies and TV shows. Amazon tracks your purchasing and browsing history to recommend items for you to purchase.

In my opinion, neither of these is inherently unethical.

jnorthrop
Be completely transparent with what you are doing. Let the users know how you are tracking them and what you are going to do with that information. Even get their consent if you want before tracking them.

If you provide enough value, and are honest with your plans, most users will participate.

MichaelGagnon
Depends on your definition of ethics. * Consequentialism ethics: make sure the benefits to users outweighs the harm to them (in your judgment) * Deontological ethics: do the morally right thing (for some definition of morally right) * Or pick some other ethical theory

Pragmatically, you want users and prospective users to feel that you are being ethical (assuming they know what your app is up to). Technical people often have a hard time putting themselves in the user's shoes (when users are non-technical). Just pitch your idea to some non-technical friends and ask them if your plan sounds "ethical."