A lengthy tangential comment replying to comments from
GDPR might be causing higher bounce rate [webmasterworld.com] and others; posted here so as not to further disrupt those threads actual topic.
While the current focus is on the EU's GDPR it is worth mentioning that a good many jurisdictions have and/or are planning increasingly stringent data and privacy laws. Including states within the overarching USA. Rather a lot of online standard behaviour is already in violation somewhere, it's just that somewhere is increasingly everywhere.
To those that are upset at the GDPR I have two comments:
1. Just wait until the ePrivacy regulations (superseding eP directives) goes into effect...
2. The GDPR protects personal data as set out in Article 8 of the European Charter of Human Rights; the upcoming ePrivacy is meant to protect privacy as set out in Article 7. The web is simply being told it's not exempt.
Oh, and meta data will soon needs be treated as personal/private data...
Before anyone gets on their high horse or NIMBY of choice remember that the Internet/web is global and jurisdictional requirements vary. Blocking certain traffic is a viable option if one is sufficiently opposed to particular geo requirements. For instance I refuse to use servers in certain jurisdictions. Yet another business decision.
The ignorance and incompetence that is just as widespread offline is simply more obvious online.
That webdevs will be increasingly held responsible for their sites behaviour despite not knowing how to configure WP/themes/plugins beyond defaults or just what all those third party inclusions are up to is better late than never.
That many/most enterprise sites (let alone small medium ones) are incompetent in their GDPR compliance visitor interface (waves to Leosghost) and/or resulting site behaviour means that once again there is a significant competitive advantage to the nimble.
Rather than complain take advantage. Be the best in yet another vector of webdev. And know the current and prospective applicable jurisdiction behaviours so as not be 'surprised'. For example both keyplr and I tested GDPR visitor interfaces long prior to their being required. And then we went universally live - offering equal rights/privilege to all not just EU visitors. I'm sure our interfaces are different but appropriate to our sites and audiences and not the typical back button inducing overlays. The point is that we saw what was coming and prepared - unlike the vast majority of competitors who did not and largely are not. Competitive advantage!
Most jurisdictions have not been broadly enforcing their regulations, however as the EU goes so I expect smaller jurisdictions to follow. Do you know the variations among the US states, of the US federally? Do you know what is required by Canada, Australia, or other TTP countries? Etc.
Are you broadly compliant or restricted to a relatively small locale?
Are you in angry denial?
Or are you proactive and adapting before your competitors?
