DataDog silently added auto opt-in telemetry | Hacker News Reader

DataDog silently added auto opt-in telemetry

github.com

7 pointsfosron11 comments

This is the case for PHP library that is used to collect data, but i guess others either already have it or will do it soon. Don't get me wrong - i'm ok with companies adding telemetry, but adding that as an opt-in by default is just not cool.

And this might be just the last straw in us switching away from DD, with all the random price hikes (them counting hosts and RAM on them and basing pricing on it?!), we will probably look into some OpenTelemetry setup we can host ourselves.

You mean opt-out telemetry right?

    Used configurations, libraries and integrations will be collected. 
    This may be disabled with DD_INSTRUMENTATION_TELEMETRY_ENABLED=0.

I don't think anyone has an issue with opt-in

> This may be disabled with DD_INSTRUMENTATION_TELEMETRY_ENABLED=0.

So is it default on or off? I am confused

The "how to disable" would imply it is enabled (on) by default. So it is opt-out rather than opt in.

I think parent was referring to the telemetry being opt in (enabled) by default, whereas you're mentioning that the telemetry itself is opt out. Both referring to the same thing, just opposite verbiage funny enough.

That's a misunderstanding I think, dictionaries say (of opt-in)

- choose to participate in something.

- to choose to be part of an activity, arrangement, etc

- The property of having to choose explicitly to join or permit something; a decision having the default option being exclusion or avoidance; used particularly with regard to mailing lists and advertising.

[the first few hits on google]

Ah you're right - I never noticed the nuance of choice being a key part of opt in, rather than the participation itself. TIL!

Fwiw you can start looking at migrating to OpenTelemetry while using Otel's DD exporter to start with and then continue shifting from there. Luckily Otel's PHP implementation is relatively complete so it should be relatively straightforward.

Shameless plug: I've been working on a DD alternative, pricing based on data volume (instead of adding on by hosts or users), Otel native as well so you're never locked in. If you want to check it out: https://hyperdx.io

In case you are looking for alternatives to DataDog, you can check out SigNoz (https://github.com/signoz/signoz) - we are an open source DataDog alternative and natively support opentelemetry

> https://github.com/signoz/signoz

we are looking into it! :)

Awesome. Reach out to us in our slack community - https://signoz.io/slack if you have any questions

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