Background

We need a way to segment systems that generate high volumes of profiles in order to correctly interpret our MAU and retention data.

Requirements

• On Windows, include a count (or threshold bucket, ie 1-10/11-100/etc) of profiles created per machine.
• Work with Data Science + Data Stewards to coordinate on exactly what we're sending to ensure we're not violating user privacy.

Related Documents

• Planning notes here

Filed https://jira.mozilla.com/browse/DO-272 for consult with DS team.

You mentioned today that there's a current profile_count at startup that's being sent already. Would you mind linking to the details there just to make sure we're not inadvertently duplicating work here?

Here's NUMBER_OF_PROFILES: https://probes.telemetry.mozilla.org/?search=number_of_prof&view=detail&probeId=histogram%2FNUMBER_OF_PROFILES

It gets set in nsXREDirProvider::DoStartup, so pretty darn early.

It is currently set to expire in 81, but :Mossop is taking care of renewing it in bug 1649958

If you (or someone else) might end up interested in this probe long-term, I recommend chiming in on bug 1649958 to have an email address added to the alert_emails field of the probe while it's being updated. That way you'll be kept aware of when things change wrt the probe.

It is a "count" Histogram, which is deprecated (Scalars are a much smaller way to represent the same information), but there is no plan to require that it be converted or to stop supporting them. (I only mention it because it offends my Sense of Order in the Universe that count histograms still exist)

PI Request filed

Depends on D86408

Comment on attachment 9169869 [details]
profile_count_data_review_form.md

DATA COLLECTION REVIEW RESPONSE:

Is there or will there be documentation that describes the schema for the ultimate data set available publicly, complete and accurate?

Yes.

Is there a control mechanism that allows the user to turn the data collection on and off?

Yes. This collection is Telemetry so can be controlled through Firefox's Preferences.

If the request is for permanent data collection, is there someone who will monitor the data over time?

Yes, Romain Testard is responsible.

Using the category system of data types on the Mozilla wiki, what collection type of data do the requested measurements fall under?

Category 1, Technical.

Is the data collection request for default-on or default-off?

Default on for all channels.

Does the instrumentation include the addition of any new identifiers?

No.

Is the data collection covered by the existing Firefox privacy notice?

Yes.

Does there need to be a check-in in the future to determine whether to renew the data?

No. This collection is permanent.

Result: datareview+

https://hg.mozilla.org/mozilla-central/rev/50aa88914b75
https://hg.mozilla.org/mozilla-central/rev/cd628cb17e17