genejockey 

The advantage of social networks on the internet, for us low social needs introverts, is that it saves us having to be social IRL.

unterhausen

I wonder if they used to use flybys for friend suggestions?
I think they are turned off now unless you turn them back on, because of too much flyby related stalking.

drlogik 

Did you carefully read their Privacy statement before you signed up? Agree with others that it's likely they network with Facebook, Google, Twitter or other social media orgs.

Troul 

the social networking part is great, but it really stops being great when "drama" takes over. Hence why fb is junk.

genejockey 

What I've discovered is that if you're sufficiently obnoxious, eventually all the friends who disagree with your politics unfriend you, and the drama goes away.

VicBC_Biker

Well, the most likely explanation seems to be that other people 'shared' their contact and email lists with Strava, and my email address was in that data.
So as soon as I showed up on Strava with my email address, Strava 'recognized me' and started sending me 'friend' suggestions.

So unless my contacts were as paraniod - or aware, take your pick - as me, this was bound to happen.

Troul 

you'd think that it's as simple as that, but I bet the back stabbing is still going on "offline". You're just not directly involved about those things that were "voiced" in front of you.

"did you hear about genejockey?" "no?? what happened???" "well let me tell you... it involved a certain vegetable"

lol

Troul 

your credit score is kinda low thesedays. You might want to start a line of credit to help build it back up. Maybe first by opting for that extended warranty coverage?

genejockey 

"There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about."

Troul 

.
.

Koyote

My casual sense is that the people who are most worried about their privacy are the last people anyone would care to spy on.

Rolla

This is the case. I am not a Strava member/user, but a friend of mine regularly sends me links to his route maps and stats. As one would expect, they aren’t very interesting to anyone other than him.

badger1

This.

Leinster

They might not have access to your contacts, but they have access to the contacts of several people, some of whom may have the email address you used to sign up, in their contacts.

mstateglfr 

So all this is definitely a concern, I agree.
I dont fully understand how it connects to Strava though. Are yohbsaying strava is using data collection to manipulate us and makes it hard for us to share a reality?

I don't feel manipulated by strava and if anything, it probably helps bring strangers together to share a reality.
I use it as a convenient data collection and storage program. Rides upload to it, my total miles are tracked, and I periodically see if I managed to be faster on an arbitrary segment than I have been during prior rides.

Don't see the manipulation or severed reality.

Again, your post is something I do agree with, it just dossbt seem like strava is currently the devil you describe.

MinnMan

Agree, though Strava's location data does have darker sides. I miss the full-disclosure Flyby feature, but I do understand that it was being used for stalking.
And then there was the problem that their heat maps were revealing the locations of secret military basis in Central Asia.
https://www.wired.com/story/strava-h...ckers-privacy/

mstateglfr 

Strava, like most all tech companies, has had to adjust their privacy settings as issues have come up.
Being able to set a anonymous general range for where rides start and end is a good thing. The option to opt in/out of heatmap data is a good thing.

rsbob 

This is how concerned I am

kahn

Does that contain that ridiculous hill (my definition) you mentioned? Maybe I can figure it out with that track.

Milton Keynes

Please, let's just leave Paulie Shore's career dead & buried.

aplcr0331

O/T but not really;

I was working in a SCIF (fancy name for a building where TS work is done for the DoD) and there as a contractor in there installing a VTC. I was in there getting network information to configure ports and he was talking about not banking online, he has no social media, doesn't trust the government...loud talking type...you know the ones-they believe every hushed ominously music' d YouTube video conspiracy out there.

I was flabbergasted...I mean here was a dip**** who didn't trust the man but had to submit his entire life history to the "government" to even set foot in our building and he thought he was "safe" because he didn't transfer money online? L-o-effin-L. I'm like dude...you've basically had sweaty butt sex with the government at this point...they KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU....he was a mumbler after that...

The point?

1. Don't trust the feds? Well I'd think the last thing you'd want to do was WORK FOR THEM.

2. Don't want Strava sending in the black helicopters to anal probe you? DON'T. SIGN. UP!!!

I mean good grief dude.

Halfwits...we're surrounded.

mschwett 

but oh noes ! big tech.

i truly don’t understand. these are private companies offering a service. at this point (2021) they make it fairly clear what data they want, what they’re going to do with it (SELL IT) and your range of options to not have your data harvested.

i’d feel differently if facebook, strava, instagram, youtube, etc were basic necessities like food or shelter or paying taxes and the only way to live was by being surveilled.

i’m also guessing a fair number of those complaining are also against paying for these services, leaving the only way for them to be viable businesses advertising and data collection.

spelger

probably not a good idea mentioning TS/DOD/Security Clearance work on a public forum.

Rdmonster69

I'm pretty anti social media. I use the under-armor app strictly because I sometimes have issues with the odometer on my cycling computer (the sensor moves and then it quits working until I stop and fix it) and the map feature is cool. They keep sending me emails asking if they have the right e-mail or something. I keep not responding.

Strava is of no interest to me....I prefer to ride alone for the most part so I don't need an app suggesting friends to me. I have some non social media pals that I can ride with if I want company. If people are into Strava that's great for them....if it helps them enjoy the experience or meet fellow riders ...go for it.

Personally I cringe a little when people post that stuff to other social media....a bit too much "look at me .......look at me !!!" I talk about my rides with people at work .....if I see their eyes glaze over and the look of abject boredom set in I stop. As it is I have gotten a few coworkers on new bikes.

Rdmonster69

Im not avoiding it ..... I just have something that works for me already ....u cam do plenty of social networking on it if you wish... i dont ...and I don't get alot of eyes glazing over actually ....I was sort of joking .... our secretary bought a new bike , a former runner has took up cycling and there are a few other cyclists to talk to as well