Capturing Domain name whose install my plugin

  • Resolved Code Tides

    (@codetides)


    10 years, 3 months ago

    Hi, i have a free wordpress plugin hosted on wordpress.org, in that plugin i have done the code where it is capturing the domain name of plugin installed,so i know who is installing my plugin so i can improve it more or make plugins according to the needs.

    My question is that, is it legal or not? will i remove my plugin from wordpress.org or stay hosted on wordpress.org?

    Any suggestion or experienced programmer comments highly appreciated.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Moderator bcworkz

    (@bcworkz)

    10 years, 3 months ago

    “Legal” as in breaking any laws? I think you are not, but IANAL and it would depend on the jurisdiction of where your server is located.

    “Legal” as far as wordpress.org policy? Not allowed. No plugins should “phone home” or otherwise send data back to you by default. What is allowed is to encourage users to opt in or register or otherwise voluntarily give you information and feedback. It’s OK as long as it’s not done automatically by default. More detail is available at https://developer.wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-org/detailed-plugin-guidelines/ (item 7)

    If you remove your plugin from the repository and host it elsewhere, then you are not bound by wordpress.org policy. You can do whatever you want as long as it is lawful. Unless you’ve already built a significant reputation, I think this would be a mistake. Being in the repository gives you much publicity and indicates some minimal level of quality. People downloading from 3rd party sites have no idea what they are getting and novices are often encouraged to stick to the wordpress.org repository to be safe.

    Eric Amundson

    (@sewmyheadon)

    10 years, 3 months ago

    Hi Code Tides,

    Check out the Plugin Guidelines, where you’ll see point #7:

    No “phoning home” without user’s informed consent. This seemingly simple rule actually covers several different aspects:

    No “phoning home” without user’s informed consent. This seemingly simple rule actually covers several different aspects:

    No unauthorized collection of user data. For example, sending the admin’s email address back to your own servers without permission of the user is not allowed; but asking the user for an email address and collecting if they choose to submit it is fine. All actions taken in this respect MUST be of the user’s doing, not automatically done by the plugin.

    I think that answers your question, but holler if I’m mistaken.

    Eric

    Thread Starter Code Tides

    (@codetides)

    10 years, 2 months ago

    I already removed code for capturing domain, but i question how can i make my own mailing list based on plugins installed?

    catacaustic

    (@catacaustic)

    10 years, 2 months ago

    You can add in a page or setting that lets people opt into your mailing list. The guidelines say that you can’t force that or have it enabled by default, you have to leave it up to each user to decide if they want to subscribe or not.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

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