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+--- Thread: Google App Analytic in Addon (/showthread.php?tid=324982)
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Google App Analytic in Addon - null_pointer - 2017-12-03
Hi,
When I first started writing my addon:
https://emby.media/community/index.php?/topic/46651-embycon-kodi-addon/
I added some simple error and stats gathering and used Google App Analytic to track that. This is all anonymous and not traceable back to the user.
These error and usage stats allows me to produce a much better addon targeting errors and features that were most important to users.
However when I submitted the addon I was informed of the following
From:
http://kodi.wiki/view/Add-on_rules
- directly using analytics (Google Analytics for example) from within add-ons is not allowed. This should be handled server side by using user-agent.
I am wondering about this, app tracking is nothing new and routine but if there are issues I am not aware of I would be happy for someone to explain why this rule is in place.
Also would it be possible to soften this a little and specify that it needs to be optional and announced?
I do not have the resources to set up my own stats and error tracking online system so used google app analytical is my only option.
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - Lunatixz - 2017-12-03
Google analytics and user tracking is not allowed.... However you have other options available to you.
http://kodi.wiki/view/Add-on:Buggalo_Exception_Collector
https://github.com/xbmc/repo-scripts/pull/678
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - null_pointer - 2017-12-04
Creating the info is not the issue, it is where to send it.
I dont have the resources to set up a hosted service to receive the data.
Any suggestions?
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - Lunatixz - 2017-12-04
(2017-12-04, 01:19)null_pointer Wrote: Creating the info is not the issue, it is where to send it.There are plenty of free servers and rollbar is free for the first few exceptions... plus buggalos default config. emails you the exceptions and gmail is free =)
I dont have the resources to set up a hosted service to receive the data.
Any suggestions?
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - null_pointer - 2017-12-04
(2017-12-04, 01:40)Lunatixz Wrote: There are plenty of free serversI might be out of the loop, can you list a few please.
(2017-12-04, 01:40)Lunatixz Wrote: and rollbar is free for the first few exceptions... plus buggalos default config.first few is probably not going to be enough.
(2017-12-04, 01:40)Lunatixz Wrote: emails you the exceptions and gmail is free =)email might be a valid option.
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - Lunatixz - 2017-12-04
(2017-12-04, 05:51)null_pointer Wrote:You'll have to do your own homework... Google is your friend..(2017-12-04, 01:40)Lunatixz Wrote: There are plenty of free serversI might be out of the loop, can you list a few please.
(2017-12-04, 01:40)Lunatixz Wrote: and rollbar is free for the first few exceptions... plus buggalos default config.first few is probably not going to be enough.
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - null_pointer - 2017-12-04
I was not asking for you to any homework, I was just asking for your list, you said there "plenty" and in my searching I have not found any that are going to cut it.
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - Lunatixz - 2017-12-04
(2017-12-04, 07:25)null_pointer Wrote: I was not asking for you to any homework, I was just asking for your list, you said there "plenty" and in my searching I have not found any that are going to cut it.http://www.hostingadvice.com/how-to/free-web-hosting/
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - Roman_V_M - 2017-12-04
Pythonanywhere is a good option if you are a Python guy (Flask, Django and such).
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - null_pointer - 2017-12-04
cool, thanks guys, will see where I can throw up some code and a DB
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - BatterPudding - 2017-12-09
I am glad to see clauses like that in the standard repo rules. Developers need to respect the fact they are on someone else's computer. A developer should make it very clear as to what private information is being lifted and sent back. Even for "bug tracking" that implies details about the machine itself.
Where on that addon page you link to does it admit to the data being collected? And does it explain how this can be disabled?
It is due to lack of thought like that that KODI addon rules have to state the obvious.
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - null_pointer - 2017-12-11
I am glad also that they are thinking about these things.
I was not asking for the rule to be dropped, I understand why it is there.
I was asking if it could be enhanced with best practices rules for collecting user data instead of a blanket NOPE cant use that service (Google Analytics).
The funny thing is if I roll my own service (which is allowed with no data collection guidance) and not use the Google analytics server I can collect a whole lot more info including IP addresses and PII that I don't have access to using Google analytics.
Google analytics also have explicit rules about collecting PII (which is a real no no in the analytics industry):
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6366371?hl=en
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/2795983?hl=en
https://www.clickinsight.ca/blog/infringing-google-analytics-pii-terms-service-find-out
I am glad the rule is there but it feels a little silly to block a service they has rules in place to help protect users PII and allow custom rolled services to collect anything they want.
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - wsnipex - 2017-12-11
nobody said that we allow random collection of arbitrary personal data.
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - null_pointer - 2017-12-11
correct, and I can also not find any documentation on it not being allowed.
That is what I am asking for, guidelines on what PII is and what can and can not be logged.
Rolling my own service I already have access to the IP address which is more than I do if I use a 3rd party analytic tool like Google analytics.
I guess my point is why ban an analytics service like GA, it is not going to add any extra protection to the user. Better collection guidelines would help I think.
RE: Google App Analytic in Addon - BatterPudding - 2017-12-11
Surely there is a simple answer. ASK the user for their permission. Tell them what you would like to collect. That would be a civilized way of doing this.
The event log already has a mechanism to be used for debugging. Debugging that can then be controlled by the user.
IMHO there is nothing more annoying that software collecting data for the sake of collecting data. Funny how often it is then the logging that turns out to be the crashy bit.
And for an example of why logging can be a bad idea that then misfires on you - https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/12/05/dataslurping_keyboard_app_makes_mongo_mistake_with_user_data/