amykhar

When creating a user registration form, it's possible to check to see if the email or username is already registered even before the user submits the form.

My question is, do you think this is a privacy risk? Is it violating a user's privacy if somebody can check to see if they are using a site or service or not just be entering their email address into a registration form?

If it is a privacy issue, do you think it matters for non-sensitive sites? For example, it's pretty obvious that an adult website or a job search site really needs to protect the identity of their registered users. But, what if it's something like Goodreads or Amazon, where knowing somebody is a member isn't really a sensitive thing?

Does the convenience of a user knowing if they've already registered on the site before figuring out a password and doing a captcha ever outweigh the potential privacy concerns?

How to write this question without sounding like an old grandpa? Back in the day, I used to know who to read about software craftsmanship and best practices. Joel on Software, Uncle Bob, etc.

Who are the modern ones to follow? I'm tired of all the listicles and fluff written by the average Joe who's been told they need to blog. I'd like some actual substance from a person who knows their stuff and is still actively writing.

Any thoughts or suggestions?