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Rework Honesty section #27

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marcoscaceres Sep 17, 2025
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Expand Up @@ -139,12 +139,21 @@ provided users can [[design-principles#consent|meaningfully consent]].

## Honesty ## {#honesty}
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#1 asks whether "honesty" is the right word for what's in this section. Do you feel like it is the right word?

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@marcoscaceres marcoscaceres Sep 30, 2025 •
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I did... I also couldn't find a better word and it ("honesty") captures the right intent.


A user agent is responsible to explain to its user what's going on,
in terms that user is likely to be able to understand.
These explanations should happen at appropriate times and frequencies,
so that they actually help the user understand
instead of interrupting and distracting the user.
A user agent must mediate between the Web and its user,
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I'm worried that "mediate" is less clear than "explain". It's also symmetric, treating the interests of the Web as equal to the user's interests. I'm not completely opposed to using it, but I want to make sure we're trying to follow https://github.com/w3ctag/process/blob/main/style-guide.md as much as possible.

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After discussion in Breakout A, I don't feel strongly about this.

explaining what is happening in a form the user can understand.

A user agent may use multiple approaches for explanations, including
text, permission prompts, indicators, previews, placement and emphasis, and other cues.
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Can you link to examples of each of these? "Indicators" and "previews", especially, seem to need more context than most readers will have.

"Placement and emphasis" doesn't seem like an approach for an explanation, but rather how to display some other approach. It could belong in a separate sentence?


These explanations serve the duty of honesty:
they should truthfully represent the current state and likely consequences,
Comment on lines +148 to +149
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Is the first clause adding anything? Could we simplify it to

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These explanations serve the duty of honesty:
they should truthfully represent the current state and likely consequences,
These explanations
should truthfully represent the current state and likely consequences,

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This was how I was linking it back to the "Honesty" heading, so would prefer to keep it as is... it clarifies what we mean by "honesty".

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If we have to explain what "honesty" means, maybe we should say it directly instead of implying it. Something like

Suggested change
These explanations serve the duty of honesty:
they should truthfully represent the current state and likely consequences,
An honest user agent actively works to present the truth to its user.
It doesn't just avoid lies.
Its explanations
should clearly represent the current state and likely consequences,

?

avoid euphemism or ambiguity,
and make it obvious when sensitive activity is occurring
(e.g., a clear indicator while audio/video capture is active).
Comment on lines +151 to +152
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Perhaps we could shorten this sentence:

Suggested change
and make it obvious when sensitive activity is occurring
(e.g., a clear indicator while audio/video capture is active).
and make it obvious when sensitive activity is occurring.
For example, the user agent might show a clear indicator while audio or video is being captured.


The user agent should choose when and how often to show these explanations,
so explanations arrive when helpful and inform rather than distract,
helping the user make informed choices.
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This last clause also feels tacked-on. It might work better as an independent sentence, possible at a different point in this section.

Comment on lines +154 to +156
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@marcoscaceres marcoscaceres Sep 30, 2025 •
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@jyasskin, how about:

Suggested change
The user agent should choose when and how often to show these explanations,
so explanations arrive when helpful and inform rather than distract,
helping the user make informed choices.
The user agent should choose timing and cadence deliberately.
Explanations should inform, not distract, leaving the user in control of if and when to make a decision.

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Yes, although we should leave the improvement to the first part of the sentence...

Suggested change
The user agent should choose when and how often to show these explanations,
so explanations arrive when helpful and inform rather than distract,
helping the user make informed choices.
The user agent should choose when and how often to show these explanations,
so explanations arrive when helpful and inform rather than distract.
The user agent should ensure the user can control if and when they make a decision.


## Loyalty ## {#loyalty}

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