Amazon's A9 Drops Retained Data Methods 94
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?"
Depends... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Depends... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Asset, under certain circumstances. (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:And If the Government Asks? (Score:4, Insightful)
A search is not a purchase. For purchases, there are already records. It doesn't matter if you're searching for that new-fangled satanic rock and roll. If it matters at all, it will be if you purchase (or download) the CD.
Re:Asset, under certain circumstances. (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Asset, under certain circumstances. (Score:3, Insightful)
History has taught us many lessons. And one of them is that information and power will be abused. Period. It's only a matter of time.
Re:Asset, under certain circumstances. (Score:3, Insightful)
Safer Not To Save Searches (Score:3, Insightful)