A promising step towards an internet that is not infested by trackers and data exploitation of users.
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Tracking is "normal"
Tracking your online behavior in order to produce targeted advertisements is a common practice in today's internet landscape. Usually it happens without your consent or with a vague agreement, that does not elaborate on all the ways the data will be collected on you. The data collected by a single domain typically gets forwarded to a network of advertisers and market analytic companies, to achieve the most complete data set on a user's online profile.
Surely, you have noticed that the ads in you browser are related to your interests?
Therefore it is now, more than ever the task of the user himself, to be aware of his online activity, employ techniques that preserve anonymity, and be cautious of the data he gives up for collection.
But today I wan't to talk about some good news.
The Do Not Track Policy
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) alongside several influential Internet companies, have announced the "Do Not Track setting for Web browsing". It is a novel policy that, in combination with privacy software, is able to protect users from data stealth online. It will prevent websites tracking their users and respect the user's choice in regards to what data gets shared. The progressive alliance that brings the proposition to the table consists of EFF, Disconnect, Mixpanel, Medium, AdBlock and DuckDuckGo.
This is what the Chief Computer Scientist at EFF has to say on the issue:
“We are greatly pleased that so many important Web services are committed to this powerful new implementation of Do Not Track, giving their users a clear opt-out from stealthy online tracking and the exploitation of their reading history. These companies understand that clear and fair practices around analytics and advertising are essential not only for privacy but for the future of online commerce.”
The idea behind this initiative is that you can set "DNT" as a preference in the web browser of your choice on mobile and desktop, that let's them know that you don't want your online activity to get tracked. The compatible browser can evaluate the data you consent to and determine the compliance of the website, ensuring that the data you don't want to share stays on your device.
The DNT vision is not to "protect a consumer’s right to privacy and incentivize advertisers to respect user choice, paving a path that allows privacy and advertising to coexist.”
So far it is just an idea, but it's an idea that goes in the right direction.
I will be following this project with great interest.
You can read the full proposal here: https://www.eff.org/dnt-policy
information sources:
https://www.eff.org/press/releases/coalition-announces-new-do-not-track-standard-web-browsing
https://www.eff.org/dnt-policy
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- Nick ( @cryptonik ) -
Nice Post!
Yes I agree tracking shouldn't be 'normal'.
I like and use the EFF 'Privacy Badger' browser plugin:
https://www.eff.org/privacybadger
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The badger is top notch!
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Is this related to VPNs?
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Not really, more of a browser-client thing. But like VPNs it is related to internet security and privacy :)
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Interesting, thank you very much for clearing it :)
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This is definitely something that is much needed.
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The first time I blatantly noticed this was when I was trying to get a refund for a delayed flight. After doing some research on Google, the next time I logged into Facebook, I got ads for "flight refunds".
In my head I always thought: two companies, so there's no cross section of data sharing...but obviously they sell each other data because it benefits both parties!
The idea of giving the customer a choice in the matter is something I definitely agree with! More power to the consumer :)
Ty for the read!
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Thanks @alihasnain3k, that is very true. Advertisment doesn't have to be bad if we consent to the data used and actually get a choice, as you say.
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