Amazon's A9 Drops Retained Data Methods

eldavojohn writes "The recent update to Amazon's A9 service has removed its ability to record searches. A9 (which now uses Windows Live & Alexa) used to tout the ability to save every single search the user made, which required a login. Now, they no longer require you to log in and have dropped the recording of searches from their toolbar. What they added was aesthetic changes to the search site. What they dropped was the A9 Instant Reward, the A9 Toolbar, the A9 Yellow Pages, the A9 Maps (including Block View), the user diary, bookmarks, and history. Although they claim that A9 is merely 'shifting its priorities to areas where it can provide the greatest benefit for customers,' this smacks of a move to avoid the ethical controversies and pressures that come with retaining your user data. What does the rest of Slashdot think about retaining search data? Is it a liability or an asset?"

Instant Reward dropped?

[iamjoltman]

So are they saying that you no longer get the A9 discount at Amazon if you use the search page? That's the only reason I was using it! Without that discount, I, and I'm sure others, will no longer use their search.

Slashdot blinders

[deblau]

What does the rest of Slashdot think about retaining search data? Is it a liability or an asset?

This is a classic case of Slashdot blinders, thinking the entire world is black or white. Here, let me help you:

Retaining data is obviously a liability. It's invasive of my privacy. It gives companies data on me that they can sell to other companies without my permission, and those other companies send me annoying pre-screened offers of credit. My info will eventually end up in a big database in the basement of the FBI, where they'll try to link me to terrorism by playing a big connect-the-dots game. 'He searched for the Anarchist Cookbook and Catcher in the Rye. Arrest his ass.'

On the other hand, retaining data is obviously an asset. It allows companies to cater their services to my personal needs. It lets them suggest products that I may not have even known existed. My information builds company worth, which stimulates the economy and provides employees with jobs. It facilitates retailer/customer trust and loyalty, which benefits both parties.

I'm sure I could go on and on with more arguments for both sides, but I hope you've gotten the point by now: the world isn't black and white, business decisions are hard, and the rest of the world already knows these things.

Re:1-Click Ordering, but a 3-step sign-out procedu

[generic-man]

Click that link (If you're not (name), click here).

Then, using your browser (any browser; I use Firefox, you can use whatever you want) go to the amazon.ca home page. Or go to Slashdot. Or Google. Or just close the browser. You've been signed out of Amazon.

The sign-out instructions are telling you how to get back to the Amazon home page after you log out, sending a signal to the next person using the computer that you were never logged in to Amazon. Many web sites use a similar procedure. You can even close your browser after you click that link and the next person to use the computer won't see you as having logged in.

Disclaimer: I work for Amazon. This is not the official opinion of my employer.