Opt-in/out option?

[techwriter31]

We've been thinking about implementing MadCap Feedback, but are unsure about the "discrete" aspect of the data collection. Is there a way to allow users to opt-out of the data collection?

In regards to user privacy, are we required to inform users that data is being collected?

[RamonS]

Cannot answer your first question, in regards to the second question, it should be sufficient to disclose that information is collected without giving detail as to what is collected. I base that on what my company does in regards to information collected for software activation. Your best bet is to pass that on to corporate lawyers. They can provide much better advice and can craft the wording of the disclosure.

[EmilyM]

Hi techwriter31,

What did you end up doing about this?

We have been discussing the same issue in the last few days about how we inform our users that we are collecting data.

EmilyM

[techwriter31]

Hi EmilyM,

We decided to postpone the deployment of the Feedback service until 2012 (so I've postponed researching the implementation of the service for the time-being).

But I'd definitely be interested in how it turns out for you! If you don't mind, please update this post based on your experiences.

Thanks!

[EmilyM]

No worries, will do.

[Pamb10]

We have a disclosure page on our website and have linked to that page from the online help.

[Landy]

I am interested in this topic at the moment.

- Opt in/out: There needs to be a method for users to opt in or out of data collection, which defaults to opt-out. Is there a mechanism or feature in Flare / Feedback Server that does this? MS have this feature in their Win 7 help (Options > Settings...) from the 'Windows Help and Support' toolbar.

- Privacy: We have a privacy statement on the company corporate website, but isn't quite approariate in relation to data collection from help file usage. I think (after speaking to our legal team) that you would need to state exactly what data is being obtained.

[Landy]

To follow on from my previous post:

- Opt-in/out: This will now most likely be done through the help installer.

- Privacy: Legals are writing up a statement on data collection, and firing me lots of questions! One I wasn't sure of is 'How is the information collected'?'.
Is it done through Cookies?

Can anyone please provide a brief explanation of how the data collection works, or point me to an appropriate resource about it?

Thanks