Analytics
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Liam Dawe Mar 29, 2021
Jusy FYI everyone, we're now trying out Cloudflare Analytics. It doesn't do any personal tracking or use cookies.

QuoteCloudflare Web Analytics does not use any client-side state, such as cookies or localStorage, to collect usage metrics. We also don’t “fingerprint” individuals via their IP address, User Agent string, or any other data for the purpose of displaying analytics.

https://www.cloudflare.com/en-gb/web-analytics/

Edit: the privacy page was updated to note this https://www.gamingonlinux.com/privacy.html

Last edited by Liam Dawe on 29 March 2021 at 4:43 pm UTC
Liam Dawe Mar 29, 2021
Quoting: GuestIf we block requests to the following script, is it enough to opt out of the analytics tracking?
https://static.cloudflareinsights.com/beacon.min.js
Yep.
Pangaea Mar 29, 2021
I blacklisted their domain earlier, presumably it does much the same, just a bit more harshly.
GustyGhost Mar 30, 2021
Some basic questions:

Why was this found to be a necessary addition to the site?

What functionality does it fulfill that could not have been handled in-house?

Will the scope of cloudflare's involvement in GoL slowly expand to eventually prevent those who block it from viewing the site?
Liam Dawe Mar 30, 2021
Quoting: GustyGhostWhy was this found to be a necessary addition to the site?
So I can get a basic idea of where visitors and referred from, country and so on. Helps us know where to focus.

Quoting: GustyGhostWhat functionality does it fulfill that could not have been handled in-house?
Didn't find a self hosted one I liked, and this option is easy to use and doesn't take personal info. Seemed like a good choice.
Quoting: GustyGhostWill the scope of cloudflare's involvement in GoL slowly expand to eventually prevent those who block it from viewing the site?
No.

Quoting: GuestSome JavaScript actions, like using the notifications icon on the top-right, or closing banners right below the top menu, are already dependant on the following Cloudflare-hosted script:
https://ajax.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/scripts/7089c43e/cloudflare-static/rocket-loader.min.js
We don't depend on it but we do use it to speed up JS loading times.
Liam Dawe Mar 30, 2021
Quoting: GuestSo if you do not want to rely on Cloudflare, you should actually block all JavaScript from GamingOnLinux or you will end up with broken features, including the ability to post comments.
Posting comments has never and will never depend on JS.
Arehandoro Mar 30, 2021
Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: GustyGhostWhy was this found to be a necessary addition to the site?
So I can get a basic idea of where visitors and referred from, country and so on. Helps us know where to focus.

Quoting: GustyGhostWhat functionality does it fulfill that could not have been handled in-house?
Didn't find a self hosted one I liked, and this option is easy to use and doesn't take personal info. Seemed like a good choice.
Quoting: GustyGhostWill the scope of cloudflare's involvement in GoL slowly expand to eventually prevent those who block it from viewing the site?
No.

Quoting: GuestSome JavaScript actions, like using the notifications icon on the top-right, or closing banners right below the top menu, are already dependant on the following Cloudflare-hosted script:
https://ajax.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/scripts/7089c43e/cloudflare-static/rocket-loader.min.js
We don't depend on it but we do use it to speed up JS loading times.

Did you have a look at Shynet? It seems pretty neat: https://github.com/milesmcc/shynet

I don't dislike Cloudflare too much, though enough in a way, but always keen on using/supporting smaller orgs/people :)

Last edited by Arehandoro on 30 March 2021 at 10:45 pm UTC
GustyGhost Mar 31, 2021
Quoting: GuestSo if you do not want to rely on Cloudflare, you should actually block all JavaScript from GamingOnLinux or you will end up with broken features, including the ability to post comments.

Believe it or not, things mostly work okay. I just need to get around to making a handy reference of how to link, quote, insert, etc into comments and to bookmark some key pages.

I've already learned https://www.gamingonlinux.com/usercp.php?module=notifications is important to have ready.
nox Mar 31, 2021
I'd love an option to opt out of this, to be honest!

Mainly because I don't think I like their wording around fingerprinting:
QuoteWe also don’t “fingerprint” individuals via their IP address, User Agent string, or any other data for the purpose of displaying analytics.
Without having more detail this makes it seem like they still fingerprint us - or at least can save the needed data (such as IP) for their own purposes?

Is there a full privacy policy available for the particular service? (I am assuming the standard cloudflare privacy policy covers it..)

Last edited by nox on 31 March 2021 at 11:10 pm UTC
omicron-b Apr 1, 2021
I really don't see this particular change as an issue. I suppose anyone who values their privacy uses uBlock Origin and this script is blocked by this extension.

static.cloudflareinsights.com host is also blocked by Pi-hole or similar (in case your browser does not support extensions).
Liam Dawe Apr 1, 2021
Quoting: noxI'd love an option to opt out of this, to be honest!
No plans, it can be super easily blocked by practically any ad-blocker or privacy plugin.

Quoting: noxWithout having more detail this makes it seem like they still fingerprint us - or at least can save the needed data (such as IP) for their own purposes?
Cloudflare don't fingerprint people, at all. It's not their business model. You can read more about the approach here https://blog.cloudflare.com/privacy-first-web-analytics/
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