Sid Stamm wrote:

> Tracking can be defined in many different ways, but what I hear most 
> frequently as the tracking people are concerned about is cross-organization 
> or cross-site tracking.

This is not even relevant.  The discussion is about the Firefox software 
installed on users computers.  People do not expect software they use on their 
private personal computer to send usage information to the software 
distributor, and particularly not to profile users.

> For example, if you use a popular news site, would it concern you if they 
> record which articles you view and recommend more?  Bear in mind you aren't 
> logging into the site, they don't know who you are, you're just "one specific 
> customer."  They gather some analytics in order to make sure they're 
> providing the best possible content for all visitors, and likewise we need 
> some analytics to ensure the sponsored tiles are useful.

This example is not relevant.  We are not using a 'popular news site' for the 
operation of the Directory Tiles ads in the Firefox web browser.

The ads are delivered as a bundle and do not pull in other resources from the 
web.  Mozilla do not know anything about the user when delivering the bundle, 
well apart from a locale which users will likely accept.

> I interpret what Mitchell writes as: the ads or other organizations cannot 
> use this to track you.  We're not going to use sponsored results or tiles to 
> aid third parties in building a robust profile on you without your consent 
> and participation.

Your examples are not relevant and your interpretation just as irrelevant.  
Many users do not want Mozilla tracking and profiling them.  Mozilla is a third 
party when users use Firefox - the transaction with Mozilla ended when Firefox 
was downloaded.  We interpret Mitchell as claiming that Mozilla will not track 
and profile them.

> However, we still need to do some accounting to make sure the feature is 
> working as intended that we cull unused/unpopular things and instead display 
> the stuff more useful to Firefox users.

Sounds like an excuse to track usage.  Adding a 'report this tile' link would 
solve the stated problem without tracking users.  You need to close these 
tracking bugs and refocus the work, and the soon it's done the better, 
otherwise Mozilla will not have many friends left in the privacy community.

Jim

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