When our Metro Detroit WordPress group was looking at video conference applications for our virtual meetups, we had dozens of options to choose from.
Two deciding factors for us:
- Finding a free service that worked across desktop and mobile operating systems
- Finding a service that prioritized privacy.
Limiting the search to free services reduced the options to investigate.
However, it still meant visiting each site to look up privacy policies and settings. That was taking up a lot of time, since I volunteered to check privacy policies on the video conference sites.
Sure would be easier if one site compiled all that information in one place, wouldn’t it?
That’s when I remembered there’s a site that’s been providing that information since 2017.
Mozilla’s *Privacy Not Included
Thanks to Mozilla’s *Privacy Not Included, you can find online reviews of over 200 products and services that connect to the Internet.
Reviews that focus on you, the consumer.
From mental health applications to smart home products to toys & games to dating apps, you’ll find many many popular and well-known services/products.
Want to check the privacy of Kwikset Halo Touch WiFi Smart Lock before you buy it?
How about the privacy for the NordicTrack Treadmill?
You’ll found both on Mozilla’s *Privacy Not Included website.
What a time savings! No more spending hours researching the information on each site.
It’s a nice companion site to the National Cybersecurity Alliance website (which only focuses on online services, not physical products) I highlighted in my Manage Your Privacy Settings post.
What I Like About Mozilla’s *Privacy Not Included
I appreciate that Mozilla reads all those boring privacy policies so I don’t need to.
What stands out for me is the approach Mozilla takes, including:
- Each product/service has a brief description along with two helpful overview sections: What could happen if something goes wrong? along with Tips to protect yourself. Useful!
- Their *Privacy Not Included warning on services/products consumers need to reconsider, detailing specific concerns
- Best of category helps you to quickly identify products/services that stand out in terms of privacy and security
- Creep-O-Meter where you can share your opinion of each product/service. Vote and see the results from others who have used the product/service
You’ll also find specific details on privacy, security, and artificial intelligence for each product and service as well as recent news and related products.
In addition, Mozilla created a set of Minimum Security Standards they feel all products should meet, which includes encryption, automatic security updates, requiring strong passwords, system for managing vulnerabilities, and an accessible privacy policy.
As of August 17, 2022, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat has quick details above the review noting the product was:
- Reviewed November 8, 2021
- Researched for 6 hours
- Mozilla gives it a “hands up” rating
- Over 5,100 voted on it and ranked it as “Somewhat creepy”
That’s good info to know, even before I read their review.
Summary
If you’re in the market for products and services that connect to the Internet, use Mozilla’s *Privacy Not Included reviews to research privacy policies and security before you make your purchase.
I’m glad to have a helpful resource for researching products that connect to the Internet. Hope you find it useful, too!
Before you buy them, do you check privacy policies of products that connect to the Internet? Share your feedback in the comments.
