I have not once ever felt appreciative of being opted-in to something.
If I want it, I will opt-in. If I don't opt-in, that should be taken as an explicit opt-out. Why do so many sites go the other route, tarnishing their reputations (IMO) in the process?
> I guarantee that 90% of users have no idea about what's going on.
Maybe so, but I took the added step of sending a link to an article about this to every one of my connections. It's a step I often don't bother with, but somehow this one pushed me past my indifference and made me take action. I think it's that I so rarely use LinkedIn, yet still vaguely feel like I should have one, being in a so called "profession". At least with Facebook, I check in pretty much every day so I notice changes and I keep up to date with potential security issues and know I have to spend time maintaining my privacy settings. With LinkedIn, I just let my account sit in the background and do whatever it is that it does when I'm not around. Being notified that they're doing some shady things when I'm not looking bothers me more than average, so I took steps that were more than my average.
The users I know are aware of it, I made sure of that.
5 down, several million to go...
Seriously though, I think they're only doing themselves harm by mass opting-in their users.
Anecdotal Example: the deluge of 'opt-in' email that I receive has made sure I'll never opt-in to any advertisement program, and has at the same time assured that I un-check any box suggesting automated / marketing emails will be sent my way if it stays checked (such as those "Send me updates about the service" check-boxes that appear when you signup for many online services).
Now I'll be the first to admit there's no guarantee that if they didn't opt-in users that I would feel differently, but I have a feeling I wouldn't have such a grudge against companies and their automated emails if they behaved themselves. I think to some degree they are hurting their own cause.
Because features you might have opted in to originally didn't exist when you joined?
They can either promote new features on the site and hope you notice, force you to update your settings and make a decision, or just opt you in which is less work and ensures higher adoption for them.
If I want it, I will opt-in. If I don't opt-in, that should be taken as an explicit opt-out. Why do so many sites go the other route, tarnishing their reputations (IMO) in the process?