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Firefox: Dark pattern consent dialog invites users to share their location

theregister.com

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Re: Firefox: Dark pattern consent dialog invites users to share their location

#61
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How does that make this ok?

Because it's normal in marketing. Most web servers log your whole IP yet people don't freak out about that.

Because it's normal in marketing

Doesn't make it right.

Most web servers log your whole IP yet people don't freak out about that

Because people are unaware of that, or its implications.

Re: Firefox: Dark pattern consent dialog invites users to share their location

#62
The dialog is an example of a dark pattern, with three options, one highlighted to encourage a reflex click, one in discouraging grey for customising settings, and sneaked in at top right, a small "Not now" link.

If there's anything navigating "modern software" for a few years has taught me, it's that you should expect to be treated like the product and "herded", so the most encouraging option is usually the worst one for you, and the least encouraging option is usually the best. This anti-conditioning has become so strong for me that I remember recently being confused upon seeing a page with only a huge green Download button, thinking "this can't be the real one, it feels too fake and obvious" when it was actually the real one. I wonder how many others will be gradually conditioned by these dark patterns to do the exact opposite of their original sinister intentions.

But this Firefox one definitely takes the desire to confuse to new heights --- it's probably the first time I've seen "not now" as an opt-out, and I'd more instinctively go for the grey.

Re: Firefox: Dark pattern consent dialog invites users to share their location

#63
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How does that make this ok?

Because it's normal in marketing. Most web servers log your whole IP yet people don't freak out about that.

Much of Firefox's target market uses it because of the "normal in marketing" stuff it prevents

Re: Firefox: Dark pattern consent dialog invites users to share their location

#65

The dark pattern in one image: https://regmedia.co.uk/2021/10/07/suggest.jpg I and I think many others chose "Customize in settings" -- but the actual opt-out is that hard-to-see, third button in small print. We didn't "get opted-in automatically" -- it's this dialog we "opted in" with.

Geez, why doesn't Mozilla simply ask for donations if it needs money for development. Imagine if all free open source projects operated this way. Advertising on computers is a virus. Just when you think you have it eliminated or under control, someone starts spreading it again.

Re: Firefox: Dark pattern consent dialog invites users to share their location

#66

Does a serious alternative to Firefox exist? I mean an alternative that is what Firefox purports to be? I'm ready to make the switch. Been with Mozilla since Pheonix, but the user hostility has become too much.

Have you heard of Chrome. It's made by Google, the company behind the most popular search engine. It's fast and has lots of features. It's got pretty popular over the last several years. I recommend checking it out.

> I mean an alternative that is what Firefox purports to be?

To privacy and functionality thow shalt count. Not to infunctionality, nor tracking.

Google is Right Out.

Re: Firefox: Dark pattern consent dialog invites users to share their location

#68
Mozilla repeatedly extolls Firefox as the safest, most privacy-respecting browser, but keeps carving away at their goodwill with little barbs like this. It's a very odd image strategy, all actual privacy arguments aside. There must be other ways to monetize than becoming the digital version of a used car salesman.

Re: Firefox: Dark pattern consent dialog invites users to share their location

#69
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How does that make this ok?

Because it's normal in marketing. Most web servers log your whole IP yet people don't freak out about that.

This isn't a web server, it's the browser. I expect web sites to spy on me, but not my own user agent!

Re: Firefox: Dark pattern consent dialog invites users to share their location

#70
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Send a request to Google for all of your data. It won't be in there.

How do you know they don't feed it into an ML system before they delete it? That lets them "not save it" while reaping the benefits of saving it.

If it's deleted, then why would you care? It no longer has anything to do with you.
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