August 30, 2021

An Ugly Truth 🧐

You’re receiving this email because you subscribed at davesmyth.com. If you would prefer not to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe.

---

An Ugly Truth

I recently finished reading An Ugly Truth, Cecilia Kang and Sheera Frenkel’s deep dive into the ongoings at Facebook over recent years.

When I finally deleted my Facebook account last year, I outlined some of my reasons. Some of these feature in the book.

It’s incredibly revealing to read about what was happening behind the scenes. What struck me most was seeing these scandals laid out back-to-back.

It wasn’t even that the book uncovers fresh revelations per se – many of them received wide coverage at the time. But reading about them in chronological order makes for sobering reading.

I’ll save a thorough summary for another time, but I’d highly recommend giving it read. Particularly if you still use the platform either in a professional or personal capacity.

---

Absorbing

Interesting links from the web.

Users are opting-out of tracking on iOS 14.5

It seems when users are given a simple and clear choice – track us or don’t – they’re choosing don’t. And good for them. This article gives an insight into the impact of the lack of surveillance on advertising, though it starts to read like a Facebook press release towards the end.

Encryption in the Online Safety Bill

“Once our private messages are unlocked to be scanned for illegal actions, they will also be scanned for legal content.”

Maybe marketing tracking, retargeting and automation is unnecessary?

“What drives demand isn’t a bunch of funnels or retargeting campaigns ... [it’s] a bunch of customers who actively want what you’re selling.” 💪

Facebook bans researchers (and it stinks)

It’s a shame Facebook’s privacy conscience only kicks in when it comes to protecting advertisers.

---

Scruples

What makes a website privacy-focused? A client recently asked us this, so we’ve written up our thoughts.

We’d love to hear from anyone adopting privacy-focused approaches in their (or their client’s) sites. What have you found works?

---

Fancy a chat?

My Unoffice Hours remain open on Wednesdays (3pm – 4.30pm GMT).

I’ve been really enjoying these: no agenda or email needed ahead of time, just book a slot and turn up.

---

If you have related links that might be of interest, or thoughts on any of these topics, I’d love to hear from you: just hit reply.

Until next time,

Dave

This email doesn’t track you.