ACSP Suggestion 2019.22: Alternative to reCAPTCHA

Suggestion

Author: Anonymous   
Submitted On: 19 November 2019

Description: ARIN should stop using it’s customers as free labor to train Google’s AI

Value to Community:

This is even worse than the traditional model of “if you’re not paying, you’re the product.” Googles reCAPTCHA means that end-users of web sites which use it have no choice but to participate in training Google’s AI systems without compensation.

ARIN should provide a viable alternative (such as returning to the traditional math problem solution previously employed) rather than subsidize Google in this manner.

Timeframe: Not specified

Status: Closed   Updated: 17 December 2019

Tracking Information

ARIN Comment

17 December 2019

Thank you for your suggestion, numbered 2019.22 upon confirmed receipt, asking that we replace Google reCAPTCHA with another verification method.

We moved from using math problems because they were easy for bots to defeat. In researching our use of math-based responses to mitigate abuse of form-based web submissions, we saw many cases where bots are able to trivially defeat the math-based solution. We found the reCAPTCHA system to be a good match for ARIN’s use meeting budgetary, labor, and user expectation requirements. Therefore, ARIN currently has no plans to abandon the use of reCAPTCHA and for this reason, we are closing your suggestion. We thank you for your participation in ARIN’s Consultation and Suggestion Process.