Privy ‑ Pop Ups, Email, & SMS

BEWARE, ADWARE!!! READ BELOW!!
I spent some time with an agent from Shopify yesterday trying to identify which app from my website makes a whole bunch of foreign requests, and we worked it out to be... Privy?!

We tested it multiple times, with the app disabled/enabled, installed/uninstalled and we can confirm that the requests only happen while Privy is installed and enabled (even if you have no active campaigns). Shopify are now reviewing this application, and I advise anyone to continue reading before installing this app.

This is incredibly disappointing to learn, I would have hoped that since Privy indulges in such dirty practices, they would at least make it completely transparent to us, the shop owners, that they sell our data collected from our customers and visitors.

Anyway, I have compiled a list of all the websites that Privy makes requests to and a brief description of the site/company. Feel free to conduct your own research about each of the websites listed below.

Privy is redirecting data from my store to all the following websites:

1. dp1.33across.com
33Across is a technology company focused on solving the challenge of consumer attention for an era of automated advertising.

2. loadus.exelator.com & loadm.exelator.com & load77.exelator.com
loadm.exelator.com is a page-redirecting browser hijacker that can affect your Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or any other browser that you may be using

3. cm.g.doubleclick.net
Not as a matter of course a virus, but rather it is clarified as an adware.

4. ps.eyeota.net
Eyeota is an audience technology platform that enables the intelligent use of data. We work with marketers, data owners, and research companies

5. secure.adnxs.com
Adnxs.com is run by AppNexus, a company that provides technology, data and analytics to help companies buy and sell online display advertising

6. l.sharethis.com
Read article below:
https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/simple-share-buttons-sharethis-privacy-update/
Also adware.

I was on the free plan, but I suspect that even the paid users would be in the same boat, since the app is essentially the same, and you only pay if you get more than 'x' page views.

I have since uninstalled the app and will look for alternatives. Although Privy offers good features, I'd rather not have anything at all than have to explain to my customers that their data is being passed around for advertising purposes.

Update after my trial has run out (down to 1 star from 2 stars) see below:
- asking for reviews before having the time to use the app in a very disturbing manner

- I ran an A/B test and it wasn't showing the 2 pop ups alternatively but at the same time - so people would see both versions. Not so sophisticated IMHO

- the costs are calculated according to page views measured by Privy(?). I think this is one of the most untrustworthy pricing methods I've come across - basically I am being charged by a 3rd party company if I visit my own store or try drive traffic from sources where I don't know the quality yet. In fact it would be very easy for them to drive traffic themselves.

- how the ROI they brag with is calculated is a secret and I don't like secrets when you want to sell me something. Basically I don't trust you - remember we're all sales people on Shopify so don't try trick me.

- overall I believe an overrated / overpriced app.

The product appeared to work well but we found the company's 'service' (incessant emails) to be so annoying that we shelved the overall project in favor of other ones. Our phone meeting was bizarre. The final straw was the 'new pricing plan' which effectively killed our preliminary work- but the reality was no one in our company wanted to work with Privy. So if you are looking for an exit pop up it works- but if you are looking to be left alone to run your business go elsewhere. This isn't rocket science.

No customer support. Other app developers provide guidance with specific coding questions related to an install. Privy simply provides a form letter and apologizes it doesn't work for everyone. And that's after charging for the month.

Very disappointed . I was told that only high paid accounts get phone assistance...Shopify provided EXCEPTIONAL customer service regardless of how much their clients pay.

Privy don't work well if you wish to check your site with Google PageSpeed.

This was the case with the standard Supply theme in shopify.
https://www.vinylwallstore.co.uk/

Unfortunately Privy were unwilling to look at this and resolve even though i would have happy turned into a paying customer.

Will happily give my money to another exit intent app :)

Total waste of time and money. The free version did nothing we wanted it to so we upgraded to the $79 version and found it was very overpriced with basic functionallity (there are plenty of free options out there doing the same thing). We politely requested a refund which we were told NO. $$$ down the drain

I used this app and the emails did not send out. It didn't work for me and I uninstalled the app and they still charged my card.

DO not download! Even when you remove the app its all still on your pages!!!!

Very bad preforming with my store !! i lost a sales because a bug from your app !!! The bug it was with sensitiveness !!!!