Quote:
Originally Posted by davidfor
The problem is they aren't selling a device. They are selling a service. For you to use that service, registration is required.
If you don't want to use that service, then the Kobo device is obviously not for you, and Kobo have no reason to support anyone not wanting registering.
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Obviously. However, they are selling hardware. Most attempts to tie hardware to services fail and rightly so. If someone is planning on side-loading books, they certainly aren't looking for a service.
All I need is an e-reader. I'm quite happy to not give Kobo money for their service and I'm sorry for anyone who had to sacrifice their privacy to read.
Quote:
Originally Posted by davidfor
Having said that, Kobo makes absolutely no attempt to validate the registration. They only require that the email address you put in looks like an email address. I know that doesn't pass your rules, but it does mean the device can be used without any real interaction with Kobo.
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Let's be clear. When you register your device, they are getting and keeping and analyzing and indexing and cross-referencing an lot more than an non-existent email address.
The very fact that they don't care what email address you use just that you "register" the device should tell you they are tracking other stuff.
According to
https://www.eff.org/pages/reader-privacy-chart-2012
The Kobo "seems to have the capability to keep track of book searches because it indicates that it shares those searches with third parties".
All of this is behavior you have agreed to and condone with your purchasing power.
Now, feel free. People should just know what they are getting into.