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Show HN: The Vue.js Handbook – Free 120 pages ebook

vuehandbook.com

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Re: Show HN: The Vue.js Handbook – Free 120 pages ebook

#35

Isn't requiring an email to download an ebook one of the scenarios that GDPR states as an example of non-compliance?

I honestly haven't dived into GDPR but I don't see a problem with a website owner offering something of value (an ebook) in exchange for something else of value (an email address). Disallowing that voluntary transactions oversteps the bounds of what I view a free state to be.

Would adding a second checkbox ("I'm not a resident of the EU") be a way for a site owner to still provide this to exchange to non-EU residents?

Re: Show HN: The Vue.js Handbook – Free 120 pages ebook

#36
post #35

Isn't requiring an email to download an ebook one of the scenarios that GDPR states as an example of non-compliance?

I honestly haven't dived into GDPR but I don't see a problem with a website owner offering something of value (an ebook) in exchange for something else of value (an email address). Disallowing that voluntary transactions oversteps the bounds of what I view a free state to be. Would adding a second checkbox ("I'm not a resident of the EU") be a way for a site owner to still provide this to exchange to non-EU residents…

The exchange email -> ebook in itself isn't problematic with regards to the GDPR, phrasing it not as an exchange but a free gift is.

edit: You may of course not like my comment, but it is factually correct: GDPR really doesn't forbid combining the newsletter entry with a bait like a free ebook, as long as you don't phrase the newsletter membership as "free" and use double opt-in.

Re: Show HN: The Vue.js Handbook – Free 120 pages ebook

#37
post #35

Isn't requiring an email to download an ebook one of the scenarios that GDPR states as an example of non-compliance?

I honestly haven't dived into GDPR but I don't see a problem with a website owner offering something of value (an ebook) in exchange for something else of value (an email address). Disallowing that voluntary transactions oversteps the bounds of what I view a free state to be. Would adding a second checkbox ("I'm not a resident of the EU") be a way for a site owner to still provide this to exchange to non-EU residents…

Well, for one, he's not gathering explicit consent anywhere. Just because there's a privacy policy and controller information at the bottom of the page doesn't mean I explicitly agree to have my data used for any purpose.

Re: Show HN: The Vue.js Handbook – Free 120 pages ebook

#38
I see people here complaining about the author asking for email addresses, and I can't help but think: what a coup GDPR has been for large tech companies.

The author has spent hours creating a useful guide that he is giving away for free in exchange for an email address. He likely hopes to tap into this audience later for a paid product.

Reaching this audience via email is cheap and easy. He can email them as many times as he wants, even if he doesn't want to sell them anything.

But because of GDPR, he can't depend on email so much. He has to rely on other tactics to reach his audience again.

And what are those tactics?

Paid advertising, of course.

No one stands to benefit more from GDPR than Google and Facebook. Everyone here cheering for GDPR needs to think how it placed all the advertising power away from mediums you can control (email) and over to ad companies.

As a consumer, you can unsubscribe and block emails easily. As a creator, you can set up a mail server easily.

You can't do that with ads, at least without relying on outside tech

Re: Show HN: The Vue.js Handbook – Free 120 pages ebook

#40

Isn't requiring an email to download an ebook one of the scenarios that GDPR states as an example of non-compliance?

You are entering in a relationship with the service or provider. If the email is used for the enumerated purposes only and you agree to it I can't see the problem.
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