This is true for any server. Everything you do on a browser is tracked by the server.
Discussion
Sure but a centralized server can keep the data private and can be held accountable when it doesn't , Nostr relays can't.
Relays can be held accountable too. They are just a regular server. The data of what you browse is private to them. The only public data is what you post, which by design is public for everyone (the purpose of nostr)
In your OP you wrote:
> Periodic reminder that your relays see absolutely EVERYTHING you do on Nostr. Regardless of which Client you use. They literally see the app downloading zaps, replies, and reactions when you scroll your posts in real time.
I understand that the relay data is public by design and that is what makes the accountability impossible.
You also wrote.
> So... MAKE SURE TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE and that you TRUST THEM with that information.
How would a user know who is running the relay and why would you trust them with your data?
Each relay is private property of an operator. You can just reach out to them or stop using those you cannot find. When you open the relay page, there should be a privacy policy and terms and conditions for your use. Regardless if it is paid or free. Lack of doing so just opens them up for litigation from users.
Thank you for all the answers, still trying to figure out what the appropriate action from my part is after reading your OP post.
I'm not sure that reading through privacy policy, terms and conditions for each relay will be very helpful.
Maybe there is a list of "recommended" or "trusted" relays from reputable Nostr community members to choose from?
A list of recommended relays would be very centralizing. Ideally each user chooses a different operator, which requires them to search and understand what each of them is offering.
We don't have tools at the moment, but it could be something somebody builds.
Not sure how community curated recommended relays list would be less centralizing or a worse options than the defaults set by clients.
I see relays as an important part of how Nostr works but it is difficult for users to make a "wise" choice when selecting relays.
As you say, someone may build a solution when there is enough demand for such a tool.
The solution is to run your own relay if you care enough about it
And if no one else uses your relay then what? You can get one setup behind TOR in 10m. But of no one knows about it or uses it its not super useful for you.
I don't think it matters. Assuming the outbox model works properly, your notes are fetched from your relay and served to viewers. You don't need to be posting to the same relays as viewers.
To fetch notes from your relay they have to subscribe to it.
You can run a private relay for friends and family.
Outbox works differently. I have outbox relays set in my profile. A client that supports outbox will connect to them to grab my notes even if it is not in the users subscribed relay list.
Thanks for the info. New rabbit hoke to go down.
You sure? If you're following someone I think your client fetches their relays and gets their notes automatically. That's why there's no longer any need to use 20+ relays.
On the outbox model, your client is connecting to the relays of each of your follows and sending all filters to them. That could mean up to 200 relays that are connected to your phone and looking to what you are doing.