Tammy,

We are exploring using Lean Library, too, but plan to be fully transparent
about this issue. For Libraries, yes, this is historically an issue, but
for patrons who use other browser extensions like AdBlock, et al. this is
less an issue.

The positive experiences we’ve heard from those who have used Lean Library
keep us interested as we test it for ourselves and work through the
licensing negotiation.

I think we need to be a lot more communicative in general with our patrons
about what data is exposed and possibly collected for all of our services.
I am especially concerned with the personalization that our users get
marketed by publishing vendors, many of which are unnecessary for their
research experience.

Tim

Tim McGeary

Associate University Librarian for Digital Strategies and Technology

Duke University Libraries

919-660-5802

[log in to unmask]

Google/Skye/Twitter: timmcgeary


The Duke University Libraries value diversity of thought, perspective,
experience, and background and are actively committed to a culture of
inclusion and respect.

On Tue, Aug 21, 2018 at 6:05 PM Tammy Wolf <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I just wondered if anyone else on this list reviewed Lean Library<mailto:
> https://www.leanlibrary.com/> and had any security and/or privacy
> concerns.
>
> Here is what our Director of Security had to say,
>
> "I can confirm that browsing activity is sent to lean library. Attached is
> an example screenshot showing the POST when visiting a URL on reddit.com.
> And if you visit https://app.leanlibrary.com/?r=api/api/institutes it's
> trivial to see info about all subscribers of lean library.
>
> Also, there are Repeated Pings to capture user IP Address. This was also
> verified during the session capture. This occurs via
> https://app.leanlibrary.com/?r=api/api/getIp."
>
> Our Security Director goes on to say the following:
>
> "Of course this is also a question of consent. Any users of the plugin
> should first have to consent to the privacy policy:
> https://www.leanlibrary.com/privacy-policy/item181 - which would be in
> conflict with deploying this automatically to lab computers. I have some
> issues with the privacy policy itself as well. It states:
>
> What information does Lean Library and The Extension NOT obtain?
> Your security and privacy is our biggest priority. We are only interested
> in information or data that can help us deliver the best experience
> possible in saving you time while and optimizing your academic research.
> Therefore, The Extension does not store any information for other browsing
> activity such as activity on non-database webpage urls.
> Maybe they aren't technically "storing" the fact that I visited a URL on
> reddit.com, but that visit still went to their server and was captured /
> analyzed *somehow*. It would be more accurate for them to say that they
> analyze all sites you visit to determine whether they are academic in
> nature, or something. But that would be a red flag."
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Tammy Allgood Wolf
> Director of Discovery Services
> ASU Library
> Arizona State University
> 480-965-1797
>
-- 
Tim McGeary
[log in to unmask]
GTalk/Yahoo/Skype/Twitter: timmcgeary
484-294-7660 (Google Voice)