Usage Tracking (GDPR Violation)

  • Resolved jetxpert

    (@jetxpert)


    3 years, 11 months ago

    When Yoast SEO is installed and activated, “Usage tracking” is automatically activated (defaults to ON) without providing a warning to the user. This is a potential violation of GDPR regulations.

    “Usage tracking” should always default to “OFF”

    Affected plugin path: Yoast SEO > General > Features > Usage tracking

    To help you on this matter, please refer to the procedure established by WP Forms (plugin). They are in compliance with GDPR regulations.

    Please update your plugin to fix this issue.

    Thank you.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Plugin Support Md Mazedul Islam Khan

    (@mazedulislamkhan)

    By default, Yoast SEO free doesn’t come with the usage tracking option enabled. Once you activate Yoast SEO free for the first time, the relevant option will be disabled for everyone.

    Once you run the configuration wizard, we ask you to share some data with us so we can keep improving Yoast SEO. Depending on your choice, the relevant option will be either enabled or disabled.

    Thread Starter jetxpert

    (@jetxpert)

    @mazedulislamkhan,

    Thanks for your input. I would like to recommend Yoast revisit both plugins (free and premium) to make sure Usage Tracking always defaults to OFF.

    Test Conditions:

    Note: Test conditions below applicable to both free and premium plugins and with all cache plugins and CDNs disabled or deactivated.

    (1) When installing plugin for the first time.
    (2) When making a settings change (other than Usage Tracking).
    (3) When deactivating, deleting, and reinstalling the plugin.
    (4) When re-saving Permalinks via WP Dashboard > Settings > Permalinks.
    (5) When deactivating and reactivating a security plugin (e.g., iThemes Security).
    (6) When deactivating and reactivating REST API via plugins (e.g., Perfmatters, iThemes Security, WordFence)

    Shouldn’t take long to perform the above test.

    Again, thank you ??

    Plugin Support Md Mazedul Islam Khan

    (@mazedulislamkhan)

    We can confirm that usage tracking in Yoast SEO (free) isn’t enabled as the default option unless someone opts-in. So, the test conditions you have mentioned are perfectly fine.

    However, for Yoast SEO Premium, we do it in a different way. You can find more information about this here. If you are a Yoast SEO Premium user and wants us to reconsider anything, please do feel free to send us an email at [email protected] and we can look into this further.

    Thread Starter jetxpert

    (@jetxpert)

    @mazedulislamkhan,

    Thanks for the info. Apologies for the confusion.

    My initial request applies to both your free and premium plugins.

    Based on the info you provided, why would the “trust level” of a free user be different from a paid user?

    In any case, the issue is not about trust, it’s about GDPR regulations. The default should be OFF for both plugins. Yoast should also issue a “usage tracking” notification (dismissable) in the admin menu every time the plugin(s) are installed.

    Updating your plugins to incorporate the above will prevent Yoast from receiving EU fine notices. You may want to consult your legal department.

    For more details, please review below links.

    Trying to help Yoast, not slow it down ??

    ————————————

    https://gdpr.eu
    https://gdpr.eu/tag/gdpr/
    https://gdpr.eu/tag/chapter-3/
    https://gdpr.eu/tag/chapter-8/

    Plugin Support Md Mazedul Islam Khan

    (@mazedulislamkhan)

    We appreciate your concern and let us know how can we improve our plugin. Since the query is now specific to Yoast SEO Premium, we welcome you to send us your thoughts directly at [email protected] and we can address the query over there as the forum is specific to Yoast SEO free queries only.

    That said, we have already addressed how we handle the data that we collect when you use one of our plugins. You can learn more about them here https://yoast.com/help/gdpr/.

    Plugin Support devnihil

    (@devnihil)

    We are going ahead and marking this issue as resolved due to inactivity. If you require any further assistance please create a new issue.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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