Controversy surrounds 1Password's plan to add telemetry to its apps

Popular password manager 1Password has announced that it will be adding telemetry to its apps, a move that has caused controversy among its users. The new functionality will only be active for 1Password employee accounts using the latest beta builds of the app.

According to 1Password, the data gathered from a randomized selection of accounts will be de-identified and processed in aggregate. The company has assured users that customer accounts are not included in this process for now. However, once they are confident that the new system delivers on their privacy standards, they will announce a timeline for rolling out telemetry to customer accounts. At that point, they will also provide guidance on how users can opt out if they wish to.

The addition of telemetry follows several controversial decisions made by 1Password in recent years. These include switching to a subscription model and moving their apps to Electron. Many users have expressed concern that the addition of telemetry could compromise their privacy and security.

In response to these concerns, 1Password has emphasized that the data collected will be anonymous and used only to improve the app's performance and user experience. The company has also stated that they take user privacy and security very seriously, and that they will continue to work hard to ensure that their products meet the highest standards.

Despite these assurances, many users remain skeptical. Some have expressed concern that the addition of telemetry could be the first step towards a more invasive data collection regime, while others worry that the data could be vulnerable to hacking or misuse.