> The bad news is as I tried to create an account on Strava , all sorts of warning bells went off. The website is full of dark patterns ...
I'm glad I'm not the only one considering these warning signs, but also puzzled why not everybody thinks like that, especially with services that could hold your data hostage. Is it a lack of education, lack of care or careful risk/benefit analysis?
Lack of options - available, or known about. You learn about service X. Services online are usually non-substitutable (you can't use Fitbit service with Garmin watch, etc.), and often have network effects (all your runner friends are on Strava). So what is a regular person going to do? The choice is almost always binary: ignore the warning signs and sign up, or do without the entire category of experience altogether.
I'm glad I'm not the only one considering these warning signs, but also puzzled why not everybody thinks like that, especially with services that could hold your data hostage. Is it a lack of education, lack of care or careful risk/benefit analysis?