Probably... maybe? Certainly I'd be weirded out if an online catalogue employee had found my name, decided to look at the geolocation data on the tracking pixel and was devotedly interested in where and when I decided to admire the latest in chinese tech.
But I think the point is that this is much less likely than on a personal email, and if you don't know the person then it's a little less creepy because it has no emotional meaning to the "stalker"
I mean, yeah I am weirded out by that, and don't like it. And I'm not trying to be (too) snarky, but seriously, what did you think people would do with this technology?
HTML email + IP to location + simple automation has driven the multi-billion dollar Martech (marketing technology) market for years. The feature set you are describing has been standard for a years now:
- They all use tracking pixels/logos-in-signatures for read receipts
- Read receipts aren't boolean "someone read this!" but instead track when, how many times you opened it.
- IP to location is used to understand location and route the lead/opportunity to the appropriate sales rep.
- Email User-Agent fingerprinting is done to track device type
- Most have automation, that allow you to automatically re-mail or even phone dial someone who has just opened an email after certain conditions are met.
This is fairly basic technology, glued to together, creating powerful platforms for marketing and direct sales. On a site like HN, how could any of this come as a surprise?
It's strange that we put more faith and trust in sociopathic-by-design corporations (which are just large groups of people you don't know, but who have some interest in you) than in humans we willingly correspond with.
But I think the point is that this is much less likely than on a personal email, and if you don't know the person then it's a little less creepy because it has no emotional meaning to the "stalker"