I guess the point that I’m not explaining well enough is the implication that this isn’t spying when you’re talking about things as abstracted as what OS a user is using.

You’re very obviously stuck in the specific example of firefox and have a large difficulty in making a larger observation on the ideas that I’m offering.

The simplest response I have is this:

Firefox has changed over the years. Understanding their user base to create a better product is a good thing. This includes collecting technical data that is relevant to the performance of their product. This is still a good thing. It is a bad thing if they take this data and sell it as an additional profit avenue.

What if instead of a company it’s an organization, and instead of being successful it’s about giving a quality service? Do you think that organization has it in their patrons best interest to improve their service?

Firefox can become a better piece of software by improving in areas it is lacking. If it sees that windows use has dropped, it can investigate that to provide a better product.

If Firefox didn’t collect analytics, it wouldn’t have even the slightest idea of who they are reaching and how to give those users a better experience. It also can give insight on the users they aren’t reaching, and creates an opportunity to reach more people.

Because I don’t know about you, but I’d wager that most developers want their software to be used, and they also want feedback on how they can improve their product. Collected analytics are a necessary piece of any continued, successful development.

Unless Firefox was developed by a single person, intended for absolute personal use, collecting certain data points is required.

And that is true for any piece of software.

Any business will be looking to increase profit, which I think we both agree on. While you took my example to be very literal, I meant it more in a general sense.

A different metaphor would be like a restaurant deciding what meals to serve. A diner could decide to add other options for a burger when they see that they sell a lot of them. Or they could decide not to invest in bringing a more expensive alternative like the meatless patties when their other vegetarian options aren’t big sellers.

Gathering information like that is simply part of a data set that lets companies try and be more successful. It’s not about entitlement, it’s a component of operating a business.

I mean, it is pretty relevant to know baseline specifications of their user’s hardware. Sorta hard to know if there is value in developing for Linux if you don’t know how many users you have.

We did the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

It got bit tough when the labor took longer than the three extended editions.