Don't forget that the internet is full of websites that aren't owned by HN users. People used to just slap Google Analytics on there and call it a day.
Again, nothing shady, just bad practices. A bit like putting everyone in CC instead of BCC.
Besides, there's only so much you can do with backend logs. It doesn't work so well for small but meaningful frontend interactions, user flows and the like.
I certainly need some sort of stats to operate my website, although I don't need nearly as much info as GA collects.
Also a nitpick: the GDPR is about collecting data, not setting cookies
I disagree, just slapping GA on websites is shady shit. Not because the individual webmaster is doing shady stuff with that data but because this gives Google a ridiculous amount of data.
Again, nothing shady, just bad practices. A bit like putting everyone in CC instead of BCC.
Besides, there's only so much you can do with backend logs. It doesn't work so well for small but meaningful frontend interactions, user flows and the like.
I certainly need some sort of stats to operate my website, although I don't need nearly as much info as GA collects.
Also a nitpick: the GDPR is about collecting data, not setting cookies