LingvaNex is like Google Translate on steroids. And its abilities are pretty amazing.

[boingboingshop]

Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2020/05/04/lingvanex-is-like-google-trans.html

…

[anon18417063]

I could imagine this value proposition is incredible, depending on their data collection plan.

From their privacy policy:

Our Company collects the following data:

Personal identification information (Name, email address, phone number, etc.)
Internet Protocol (IP) address;

Seems harmless enough, but why would you want that data?

How do we collect your data?

You directly provide Our Company with most of the data we collect. We collect data and process data when you:

Register online or place an order for any of our products or services.
Voluntarily complete a customer survey or provide feedback on any of our message boards or via email.
Use or view our website via your browser’s cookies.
**Entering any kind information while using our Application or other Service.**

Now we’re getting to the meat. Entering any kind of information while using the application or other service. Looks like they’re collecting more data than they are letting on.

How will we use your data?

Our Company collects your data so that we can:

Process your order, manage your account.
Email you with special offers on other products and services we think you might like.
**Improve our website or app in order to better serve you.**
**Allow us to better service you in responding to your customer service requests.**

Meaning, they are reading and listening to your conversations. I don’t care why. This specifically needs to be opt-in. The google model of rapaciously collecting data, for whatever reason, is more and more untenable by the day. Dear company, if you’re reading and listening to the user’s conversations, the users have a right IMHO to know who is listening, if at all, and to opt out of listening, with the default option being opt-out.

Third-party disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties any information of the user.

What is your plan for this if a PE firm buys you? Now the ringer:

When Our Company processes your order, it may send your data to, and also use the resulting information from, credit reference agencies to prevent fraudulent purchases.

Now 95% trust has been eliminated. Fuck credit reference. Take my bitcoin for software that doesn’t phone home. This just seems unnecessary. I know there is a lot of impetus to make the company profitable, smart and modern, but there is honor in keeping things private.

Sadly, as with most apps these days, everything you say and do while they’re installed is up for review. I want them to improve their product to the point of Star Trek aweseomeness, but I don’t want the information used against me. Ergo, GIGO, you can’t trust anything you see, and my user agent actively spews Bobby Tables style SQL when you ask for data.