https://www.reddit.com/r/changelog/comments/lqtecn/update_to_user_preferences/
created by wokata on 23/02/2021 at 21:20 UTC*
0 upvotes, 171 top-level comments (showing 25)
Hey there redditors,
As Reddit has grown, so has the complexity of the preferences we provide to meet the varied needs of our users. Our current User Settings, which allow you to change your preferences at any time, have been long overdue for some TLC. This week, we’re cleaning up and simplifying some user preferences to help users better understand how their data is being used and to be able to opt-out of settings more easily.
What’s changing:
Reddit’s commitment to user privacy isn’t changing. For users who want to have a non-personalized version of Reddit, they can always continue to use Reddit without logging in. We also launched Anonymous Browsing Mode[1] on our iOS and Android app last year to support private browsing from our native app experience. You can find more info on Reddit's Personalization Preferences here[2].
Comment by justcool393 at 23/02/2021 at 22:24 UTC*
289 upvotes, 11 direct replies
I try to reason a charitable explanation for things usually because a lot of times you can find a good explanation for crappy things. I can't for this.
Those preferences were so far hidden anyway that you basically had to know about them to uncheck them. I have Reddit Gold or Premium or Platinum or whatever you guys call it nowadays so personalized ads don't affect me, but what's the harm (other than a small monetary hit) in letting people use a feature that if I were to guess barely anyone used in the first place?
We will no longer support the option to opt out of personalization of ads based on your Reddit activity.
we are removing this setting
Reddit’s commitment to user privacy isn’t changing.
I don't really like being blunt but don't piss on my shoe and tell me its raining.
Comment by Amulet_Of_Yendor at 23/02/2021 at 22:58 UTC
114 upvotes, 4 direct replies
For users who want to have a non-personalized version of Reddit, they can always continue to use Reddit without logging in.
So if you want to use any of the features that come with a Reddit account - posting and commenting, subscribing to subreddits, etc. - then you have to have personalized ads?
That's absolute BS.
Comment by Deimorz at 23/02/2021 at 21:27 UTC
157 upvotes, 2 direct replies
While there are safety and operational purposes for tracking outbound clicks, we leverage only aggregated data and have never personalized Reddit content based on this data, so we’re removing this setting to reduce confusion.
To clarify, does this mean that every click on an outbound link will now be required to go through out.reddit.com, with no ability to disable that any more?
Comment by jeremy282 at 23/02/2021 at 22:16 UTC
153 upvotes, 2 direct replies
No, we want to be able to opt out. Nobody is confused by that.
Comment by [deleted] at 23/02/2021 at 21:39 UTC
294 upvotes, 10 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by Demysted at 23/02/2021 at 23:19 UTC
98 upvotes, 0 direct replies
No thanks. Please put the settings back.
Comment by PM_ME_UR_SEAHORSE at 23/02/2021 at 21:40 UTC
84 upvotes, 2 direct replies
It kind of sucks that we won't be allowed to opt out of ad personalization based on our activity anymore.
Also, the current outbound clicks tracking setting reads "allow reddit to log my outbound clicks for personalization." Are you sure you "have never personalized Reddit content based on this data"?
Comment by WinXPbootsup at 23/02/2021 at 23:20 UTC
109 upvotes, 1 direct replies
No. Nobody is confused by those 6 options. I tell my friends to use Reddit BECAUSE of the ability the opt out of personalised ads. This is wrong.
Comment by TheBananaKing at 24/02/2021 at 03:15 UTC
82 upvotes, 5 direct replies
Reddit’s commitment to user privacy isn’t changing. For users who want to have a non-personalized version of Reddit, they can always continue to use Reddit without logging in.
That's the most disingenuous thing I've ever heard, and that's *after* the entire Trump administration.
Comment by [deleted] at 23/02/2021 at 23:11 UTC
71 upvotes, 3 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by audentis at 24/02/2021 at 06:13 UTC
34 upvotes, 2 direct replies
We will no longer support the option to opt out of personalization of ads based on your Reddit activity.
Reddit’s commitment to user privacy isn’t changing.
Well that's a pretty half assed commitment if this change doesn't violate it from your perspective.
Comment by JoeBob1-2 at 23/02/2021 at 23:43 UTC
30 upvotes, 0 direct replies
So basically, we can’t opt out of personalized ads. That is indeed one way to simplify it, by removing the option altogether
Comment by Joe091 at 23/02/2021 at 22:37 UTC
77 upvotes, 0 direct replies
This is a shitty thing to do and you know it. You should feel bad for trying to act like you’re doing us a favor.
Comment by [deleted] at 24/02/2021 at 05:29 UTC
53 upvotes, 3 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by [deleted] at 25/02/2021 at 16:43 UTC
25 upvotes, 1 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by ThatOneGuy1294 at 24/02/2021 at 06:18 UTC
25 upvotes, 0 direct replies
We will no longer support the option to opt out of personalization of ads based on your Reddit activity.
Continue using an adblocker, got it.
Comment by rmacd at 25/02/2021 at 02:13 UTC
20 upvotes, 4 direct replies
Should I be reporting to my privacy regulator (EU) that I can no longer opt out of targeted advertisements? Asking for ... a friend
Comment by BobHogan at 24/02/2021 at 14:38 UTC
18 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I wish the admins would grow some balls and just be honest that they are removing privacy options, and increasing how much they are tracking us in order to make more money off it.
We can see through your attempts at painting this as the opposite of what it is. Its bad enough that you are always reducing how much privacy you are letting us have, don't make it sting more by patronizing us and acting as if we aren't smart enough to see whats happening
Comment by graepphone at 23/02/2021 at 21:32 UTC*
35 upvotes, 3 direct replies
.
Comment by nascentt at 23/02/2021 at 21:51 UTC
36 upvotes, 0 direct replies
we’re cleaning up and simplifying some user preferences to help users better understand how their data is being used and to be able to opt-out of settings more easily.
We will no longer support the option to opt out of personalization of ads based on your Reddit activity.
Thanks. How nice of you....
Comment by Dannypan at 25/02/2021 at 07:54 UTC
14 upvotes, 3 direct replies
Is this GDPR compliant?
Comment by HarryPotter5777 at 23/02/2021 at 22:51 UTC
13 upvotes, 0 direct replies
These two settings (“Personalize ads based on information from our partners” and “Personalize ads based on information from our partners”)
Is this a typo?
Comment by Blank-Cheque at 23/02/2021 at 23:14 UTC
23 upvotes, 0 direct replies
well hey in a way you're right, if someone stops using reddit because you fucked up their experience, that's way simpler!
Comment by njtrafficsignshopper at 24/02/2021 at 10:01 UTC
11 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Who do you think you're kidding?
Comment by TetraDax at 25/02/2021 at 10:29 UTC
11 upvotes, 0 direct replies
We will no longer support the option to opt out of personalization of ads based on your Reddit activity.
I hope you do realize that this is in violation of the European Unions GDPR law?