With the release of SnapBridge 2.12.0 this week, you're going to see a prompt when it updates that is raising eyebrows: you're asked to agree to the use of Adobe Analytics.
It appears that Nikon is now using Adobe Analytics to understand its users and what they're doing in SnapBridge. However, as in most cases of collecting data, there are privacy issues you need to be aware of. While the data is not individually identified, SnapBridge is now collecting location data, browsing data, device data, IP address, and information about what you're doing in SnapBridge.
While the statement "These data are collected in a form that does not allow identification of individual users," those of us who've been around the net since the beginning know that by correlating this kind of data set against other databases we might have access to we may actually be able to identify individuals.
Nikon claims that this new function will enable them to make improvements on an ongoing basis. Perhaps. I should note that I was able to leave that dialog box unchecked and still have a functioning SnapBridge, so despite the appearances that this is required, it probably is optional.
Most software companies do indeed want to monitor usage statistics in some way. That's not the issue here. Many use third party services to do so, which is what has apparently changed in the new SnapBridge release (I don't remember this coming up in the past).
