split.io is in hosts file

Hi there, May we know why split.io is in hosts file?
Aren’t they kind of like a CI/CD provider?
https://www.split.io/product/faq/

acloud.guru use split.io. So I was curious why I cant load the courses page at https://learn.acloud.guru/browse.
After I remove below hosts, I can load the page. Thanks.

# [split.io]
0.0.0.0 events.split.io
0.0.0.0 sdk.split.io

[jawz101]

I’m a bit reluctant to remove it. They have an Android sdk, virustotal scans show that Android apps directly communicate with those domains, their site lists integrations with dozens of advertisers who do segmentation and attribution…

I get the client integration point - testing feature rollouts and such, but I also see it as an end user who doesn’t like to be experimented with, classified, or targeted with a discount because they fell into a certain bucket.

It’s simply not something I’m interested in removing because I’m an end user and those who want it can whitelist it for themselves.

But, it’s a public list and I’ll do whatever most people think is right

[bengalih]

Should I remove them? It impacts the thousands (maybe millions) of other users who opt to block them? I fully support your conclusion.

You’re the expert here. You’ve put the time and effort in. I’m not about to tell you to remove it if you truly believe keeping it is the right call. You’re here willing to listen, and I respect that, and therefore respect your ultimate decision. That being said, we could debate endlessly the philosophical and practical applications and needs of the block lists and applications, and I’m more than happy to continue having debate if you find it helpful to discuss other viewpoints. I’m also happy to just let it go since I’ve said my peace and I feel that you have actually listened and considered.

I’ll just close here with a couple of views/retorts to your last statements:

• I have a feeling that most people who provide inputs here are heavy users and probably have a tech background. You all probably have a pretty good sense (from # of downloads) how many people use the apps - and I’m sure a very, very small number of those users are actually vocal on github or other forums about how they might like to see improvement. That’s why I think it is really important for devs to listen to feedback like this because one person out of a hundred likely represents a larger viewpoint than 1%, since I believe more of the less tech inclined are likely to be more silent. Unfortunately, while smaller projects like this are likely to get some conversations with developers, devs on these projects are often very ego driven, or at least refusing to listen to any input that differs from their own because it is “their” project. In that regards, I would say that you definitely don’t have an “ego” on your stance since you have been very willing to discuss these issues in what I believe is a constructive manner.

• When you say: “you consent to visit websites. Why do you block the ads they display to generate revenue?”, I feel like you are actually proving my view point here. I don’t believe anyone believes they aren’t sharing their info online, especially if they choose to participate any any sort of commerce, social media, etc. As careful as we want to be, our data will always be leaked. I feel like the number of people who can actually successfully hide their personal footprint online using all available tools is likely very low. While I may be in a minority, I don’t think it is a small one of users who still desire to use websites for their function but don’t want to see their ads, or be tracked outside of the information I’m providing them. I believe it is a faulty argument to say that just because I want to read a news site that I should then be OK with all their advertising, etc. I, like many others, don’t think that a website using some generic demographic data and my purchase habits with them to track what coupons to provide me is an evil, insidious thing. In short, I don’t think this is a black and white issue, which is why having a single blocklist doesn’t really solve the problem for everyone.

I mean Steven’s lists here are a perfect example in how you can opt into which ones you want and which ones you don’t…it provides a granularity. I always think that granular/atomic structures are best for development, maintenance, and use, which is why I recommended to consider segregating the lists somehow (be that actual separate lists, or somehow annotating the main list to allow atomic parsing). Is it more work? Maybe yes, maybe no. You certainly wouldn’t need to spend so much time investigating a site like split.io, since you can just drop it in a telemetry list (or 2nd tier threat list), and move on. So, as I’ve said …just consider those options as you continue on and if a time comes when you need to rework things, maybe this will provide a possible path you can work down.

Again, I don’t want to keep beating the horse dead here, and I do feel you’ve listened to my points and considered them so I don’t feel the need to continue re-iterating them beyond this.

Thanks again for all the work you guys put into this, I hate living without them on my phone (although I don’t use these lists on my home network due to the endless maintenance required for providing access to things family members need access to 😃 ).