Privacy - a lot of hate out there, but what's actually the case?
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tangleofcode last edited by
Hi.
There's a lot of negative info out there on Opera's privacy. After skimming through sections of the privacy policy myself I don't feel very at ease, as it doesn't seem to be specific about what information is collected and used for what.
I know we could dissect the privacy policy sentence by sentence, but are there any trustworthy resources out there that have dug into Opera's privacy issues and have a made a write-up or something to digest?
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leocg Moderator Volunteer last edited by
@tangleofcode It's specific. How more specific you want it to be?
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A Former User last edited by
@tangleofcode I've found this review helpful:
https://vpnpro.com/web/opera-review/When you're on Twitter, you might find this thread by the Opera Security Team enlightening as well:
https://twitter.com/Opera_Security/status/1666002210495315968?s=20Fact is, most "security blogs" advise you to get rid of Opera. But they also say the same about Chrome or Edge.
Lots of fanboyism on the net, too. Some after repudiating any other browser put Brave in front and center. So I'm suspicious if they are really impartial or just doing the promoting.
You can at least opt out a lot of preferences in Opera to make it more private. But like any other browser (yes, Brave, too) they have to make money.
You can also read through their privacy statement.Hope, that helps.
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tangleofcode last edited by
@himmelsheriff Thanks for the links.
One tweet I found interesting:
As we state there: Some of the data we use is considered “personal data” under applicable law. However, even when we use personal data, we generally have no way of actually identifying you as an individual, and our users are essentially anonymous to us.
That's a good sign. Will need to dig further into things though.
A question: Is there any way to tell what data is sent to their Chinese owners or other Chinese entities?
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leocg Moderator Volunteer last edited by leocg
@tangleofcode None. And possibly all stated in privacy policy and terms of service.
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tangleofcode last edited by
@leocg Thanks. How can you tell - is there anything in the privacy statement that says they don't? I know Opera's GDPR compliant so maybe there's some regulation there that says they can't export to say China?
I don't mean to be a pain in the butt on this privacy topic though, but I'm thinking if in fact it is so that Opera can be configured with pretty good privacy, and we get some (even more) destilled breakdown on this topic, hopefully this thread may serve as a source of information (in layman's terms) for other potential Opera users in the future.
Ideally, though, the Opera team itself would published a short summary of it's privacy policy written in layman's terms. As of now I - speaking for myself - have read through a lot of the privacy policy, but are still left with the impression that something's iffy. I'm sure the privacy policy for other browsers are just the same, but as Opera has gotten quite a lot of backlash regarding privacy they could benefit for going the extra mile in ensuring privacy concerned users that Opera's not worse than other alternatives.
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A Former User last edited by
Maybe the security team could publish their Tweet as a an entry on Opera‘s security blog:
https://twitter.com/Opera_Security/status/1666002210495315968?s=20
Or as a Q&A maybe on their main page. -
rockjonn last edited by@tangleofcode said in Privacy - a lot of hate out there, but what's actually the case?:
Hi.
There's a lot of negative info out there on Opera's privacy. After skimming through sections of the privacy policy myself I don't feel very at ease, as it doesn't seem to be specific about what information is collected and used for what.
I know we could dissect the privacy policy sentence by sentence, but are there any trustworthy resources out there that have dug into Opera's privacy issues and have a made a write-up or something to digest?Hello,
I understand your concerns about Opera's privacy practices. When it comes to evaluating the privacy policies and practices of different companies, it's always a good idea to consult reliable and trustworthy sources for detailed insights. Here are a few resources you can explore to gather information on Opera's privacy issues:
Independent Tech Publications: Tech publications like TechCrunch, CNET, or The Verge often conduct in-depth analyses of privacy concerns surrounding popular software and apps. They may have covered Opera's privacy issues or conducted investigations on the topic. Privacy-Focused Organizations: Organizations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) or Privacy International focus on advocating for user privacy rights. They may have resources or articles discussing Opera's privacy practices. Online Privacy Forums: Online communities like Reddit's privacy-focused subreddits (e.g., r/privacy) can be a valuable source of information. Users often share their experiences, concerns, and findings regarding different software, including Opera.By consulting these sources, you should be able to find reliable information, reviews, and discussions that will help you make an informed decision about using Opera based on its privacy practices
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leocg Moderator Volunteer last edited by
@tangleofcode said :
How can you tell - is there anything in the privacy statement that says they don't? I know Opera's GDPR compliant so maybe there's some regulation there that says they can't export to say China?
In the Privacy Policy, there is:
International Data Transfers
As noted above, in different contexts we may share or make available data (including personal data) with other members of the Opera Group, and sometimes with third parties, such as our marketing and monetization partners. Where applicable, we insist that a legally valid mechanism is used to protect such transfer, including for example the European Union’s model contracts for the transfer of personal data to third countries (also known as the “standard contractual clauses”) to ensure adequate protection of your personal data. -
Jammiey Banned last edited by
@himmelsheriff Why does privacy elicit such strong reactions? Online platforms' data collection raises privacy issues. Data collection to enhance services and target advertisements poses consent and control issues. GDPR and CCPA safeguard data. Trustworthy firms use encryption and safe methods to protect data. Data sharing with trustworthy third parties requires openness and opt-out alternatives. Sharing responsibly and knowing your privacy settings help too. Stay informed and make smart digital choices.
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A Former User last edited by
@tangleofcode Here's another illuminating article about Opera One, which addresses security and privacy too:
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TimothySanborn58 last edited by
What privacy, there are cameras everywhere now a days, people with cellphones that have cameras, you know the government is watching your every move while they keep allot of what they do to themselves.
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