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Attention vs Privacy Online
Product / Dualities
Getting noticed online usually means giving up something about yourself.
The Tension
To reach an audience, you need algorithms to see you. Algorithms need data. More data means less privacy — for you and your users. Growth and privacy pull in opposite directions.
The Two Sides
| Attention | Privacy |
|---|
| Data-driven targeting | Minimal collection |
| Personalisation at scale | Anonymous use |
| Tracking across surfaces | Local-first data |
| Growth through virality | Trust through restraint |
Why It's a Duality
- Without attention, your product dies unseen.
- Without privacy, users eventually turn on you.
- Most products sit on a spectrum; few can ignore either side.
How to Navigate
- Be explicit about the trade you're asking users to make.
- Default to the minimum data that makes the product useful.
- Treat privacy as a feature worth marketing, not a compliance cost.
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