Google Privacy Blocks Websites From Tracking You

Privacy has moved into the public focus in recent years. Initiatives like Mozilla’s Do Not Track Header try to improve user privacy on the Internet.

Google Privacy is a Firefox add-on that tries to enforce do not track on popular websites. The name may suggest that the add-on has been created by Google but that is not the case. It is likely that it concentrated on Google in the beginning, and that support for other websites have been added later on in development.

Google Privacy currently supports Google, Bing, Yahoo, YouTube, Facebook and Ask. The basic idea behind the add-on is to modify links on those websites to remove tracking functionality from them. It should be noted at this point that the sites still have options to track users through other means, for instance with JavaScript running on the site or analysis of web traffic.

First thing you may want to do after installing the add-on and restarting the browser is to look at the options it provides.

General options are displayed on the left and site specific options on the right. The extension by default displays small icons next to each link that indicates whether the link is a tracking link or not. Green icons indicate links that respect the privacy, while red icons indicate those that do not.

Both the original link and its modified version can be displayed at the same time. It is alternatively possible to hide tracking links automatically so that only safe links are displayed on the supported sites.

The websites listing can be used to enable or disable tracking on links that point to the same website, and to block the tracking of every click on links on the web page instead. The latter could have an impact on the site’s functionality though.

If you are concerned about your privacy online, you might want to take Google Privacy for Firefox for a test drive.

The add-ons concentration on six major companies limits its reach significantly. It is therefor recommended to install additional extensions to make up for that limitation. RequestPolicy is a good start, or the excellent NoScript add-on.

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Disable Major Third Party Tracking Services With Disconnect For Chrome About the Author:Martin Brinkmann is a journalist from Germany who founded Ghacks Technology News Back in 2005. He is passionate about all things tech and knows the Internet and computers like the back of his hand. You can follow Martin on Facebook or Twitter.Author: Martin Brinkmann, Tuesday February 28, 2012 -
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Microsoft Slam New Google Privacy Policy in Newspaper Advert

Microsoft Slam New Google Privacy Policy in Newspaper Advert .download-info .download-button {background-image: url(http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/page-addon/downloadbutton.gif);}.download-info .more-button {background-image: url(http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/page-addon/morebutton.gif);} HomeWindowsLinuxSoftwareInternet ExplorerFirefoxChromeOperaEmailContactAdvertiseMicrosoft Slam New Google Privacy Policy in Newspaper Advert

Last week Google announced changes to its privacy policy that, on the face of it seem perfectly reasonable.  In essence they want to treat all the different Google services you use as a single big account and share the data.  What this ultimately means though is that the company will know absolutely huge volumes of information about you.

For instance they’ll see what emails you receive and subscribe to, what videos you watch, what things you search for, what sorts of documents you work on and what the content of those documents is, what you blog about, what you take photographs of and where, what newspapers and blogs you read, what you buy online, what parts of the world you’re interested in (and where you live), who you chat to and what you like to buy.

All of this information, when put together, helps advertisers paint an incredibly detailed picture of you and with about a billion users worldwide, that information is incredibly valuable.

Now Microsoft have hit back with newspaper adverts in the US saying that this isn’t what want at all and that you should ‘obviously’ use their products and services instead.

In the advert they say…

Google is in the process of making some unpopular changes to some of their most popular products. Those changes, cloaked in language like “transparency”, “simplicity” and “consistency” are really about one thing: making it easier for Google to connect the dots between everything you search, send, say or stream while using one of their services.

But, the way they are doing it is making it harder for you to maintain control of your personal information. Why are they so interested in doing this that they would risk this kind of backlash? One logical reason: Every data point they collect and connect to you increases how valuable you are to an advertiser.

So is this fair enough, sour grapes or the pot calling the kettle black?  In fairness it is all of the above as there are elements of all of these in the advert.  Google make almost all of their revenue from advertising and the better and more attractive they can make their own advertising, and the data they collect on their users, the more companies they will attract and the more money they can charge for the (your) personal information.

Many people simply don’t want to be tracked and Microsoft point out that you can do this in the latest version of Internet Explorer.  What they don’t mention is that you can also do it the latest version of Google’s Chrome browser as well and that many of the advertising and data-mining tactics used by Google are also used by Microsoft.

Consumers will have to decide for themselves how they feel about the approach Microsoft are taking here, though many will just see it as a company taking advantage of an open goal for a publicity stunt.  The fact remains though that the US Congress is so concerned about the new changes Google is introducing that they are holding an closed door hearing to discuss what the changes mean.

So what do you think about Google’s new privacy policy?  Have you even heard about it and what do you think of Microsoft’s response?  Why not tell us in the comments below.

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About the Author:Mike Halsey is a Microsoft MVP for "Windows Expert". He is also the author of Troubleshooting Windows 7 Inside Out from Microsoft Press and the Windows 7 Power Users Guide, a how-to guide for non-technical Windows users on how to get the best out of Microsoft's new operating system, with step-by-step and quick guides.You can follow Mike on Facebook, Twitter or on his own website The Long ClimbAuthor: Mike Halsey MVP, Wednesday February 1, 2012 -
Tags:Google, microsoft, privacy

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Responses so far:Robert Palmar says: February 1, 2012 at 10:10 pm

First of all, what Google is doing is not “doing evil”. I suppose it was inevitable.
Google already had this information on users prior to the new policy and for all anyone
knew was already linking data bases behind the scenes where they now pulled the curtain.

As long as Google is up front about the changes consumers can decide whether they mind.
I prevent tracking by any vendor on general principles of privacy and not fear of advertisers.

Even with Google’s integrated approach no advertiser is getting specific information on who you are
but rather what kind of consumer you are, what class you fall into, and then display ads accordingly.
This is something marketers have tried to do long before the internet using any available information.

Microsoft does have a marketing opportunity here as many people do not like the new Google policy.
Microsoft must be confident they do not in fact catalog data on users to the extent Google does.
Of course no one has to believe them and Microsoft detractors will assume they do anyway.

ReplyRoman ShaRP says: February 1, 2012 at 10:23 pm

I might be wrong, but I don’t care that much about Google privacy policy.
I use Gmail, most of the time by mail client, and I don’t see so far reasons for big concerns. Those who read my blog and/or use blog searches can found about me much more than Google can. So… Why to be concerned?

As for Microsoft – I never trusted them and their policies, so why to trust their ads?

Google provided to me
- free Gmail
- free Linux-based Android OS with less restrictions
- Chrome browser (not browser of my choice, but more useful and FASTER than the ugly buggy IE)
- OpenOffice/Libreoffice support (I really DO prefer OpenOffice-Libreoffice)
- some Ubuntu Linux support (perhaps, my next OS as Microsoft sinks into Metro)
and most of what MS boasts are commercial restricted tools I don’t want to work with if I’m not well-paid for it.

Yes, I’m not happy with many Google decisions, but I can’t remember any MS decision/solution I’m happy with.

ReplyKoalaBear says: February 1, 2012 at 11:10 pm

I like the new privacy policy, so we can see more and better integration!

Also I trust Google more when it comes to privacy and keeping my data safe.

ReplyTranscontinental says: February 1, 2012 at 11:18 pm

I’ve forgotten to remain pragmatic in my situation regarding Google and mainly its new privacy deal, when an irrational reaction made me slam a door.

From my Google account I called mainly Gmail and Reader, I mean these were the only services keeping my related data.

At this point the new privacy policy wouldn’t have changed much to my privacy, and yet … well, as I said, I got annoyed by the very idea of centralizing data within Google services, it just annoyed me. I guess in a way it was the final straw to a wide process that included the worst of the Web : naked community, and when I say naked you know I’m not referring to citizens on the beach in the late sixties !

Well, I’ve archived all my Gmail with ‘Mailstore Home’, and then closed my Google account.

I just feel much better.

At this time I perceive mainly two big companies as intrusive, as intruders even on a Web they seem to consider as their domain. Everywhere, almost I guess, Google and Facebook. You get a home-made cookie and/or a home-call to these companies on almost all websites. I know this is because those sites have accepted scripts, and they gave accepted them because users want them, and users want them because they believe that if they keep out of social web they will be like strange monjies disconnected from…. others.

I feel so lonely, gosh makes me wanna cry :)

ReplyBobbyPhoenix says: February 1, 2012 at 11:49 pm

Either way it does not bother me. My life is an open book. You want to know something just ask, and I will tell. I try to live the straight and narrow path of life, so I have nothing to hide. You want to track me? Fine. You don’t want to track me? Fine. I use all Google services and products from Gmail on the computer to Android phones with all Google apps. I use a lot of Microsoft products too. I am one of those who always checks the boxes to send anonymous data to who ever wants it when I use a product or app. Take my stuff! Do it! haha

ReplyRobert Palmar says: February 2, 2012 at 12:04 am

Google responds. Looks like their pissed.

http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com/2012/02/busting-myths-about-our-approach-to.html

Google should think of running an ad in the same
newspapers Microsoft has with the blog copy.

ReplyPeople'sFault says: February 2, 2012 at 2:33 am

Google don’t need more than 1 page, because in short they are saying “we will play GOD and do EVERYTHING, and you will kindly agree, or you’re out”.
Also, the net is full of lies bout “using the service without logging” … the policy DOESN’T say that …
According to the policy, if you go to “google.com” and hit search then you agree to the policy PERIOD.
They will get away with it, because people still don’t read a one page policy!

Replyclazy8 says: February 2, 2012 at 6:24 am

Can someone explain why Congress should have anything to say about the Google policy? Google users are perfectly capable of deciding for themselves whether they are willing to barter exposure to advertising for valuable computational services. And really now: if you’re going to have to look at ads, wouldn’t you prefer ads for products and services you might actually want? I don’t understand the paranoia this issue arouses. People seem to assume that once they’ve seen an ad, they lose the power to make rational decisions. They also seem to think that Google products are free because life is beautiful. But someone has to pay for the goodies, and Google users should be grateful that the company has ingeniously found someone else to foot the bill.

ReplyJim says: February 2, 2012 at 6:31 am

I had high hopes for Google, but now I’m distancing myself from them. Their search engine is a last resort, I have a Gmail account that I don’t use, Google+ is a waste of time, and I get better maps from other sites. Of course the MS ads are pure marketing BS, so they should be ignored. All this situation proves is you can’t trust ANY company, regardless of their promises or lofty motto. If they are faced with a choice of making a buck over serving their customers’ best interests, the money will win every time.

ReplyMarkus says: February 2, 2012 at 8:48 am

What we need is a browser extension to block HALSEY, and his BIASED posts on Ghacks.

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Privacy Initiative To Release Three Internet Explorer 9 Tracking Protection Lists

One of the new features that Microsoft introduced in their Internet Explorer 9 browser was support for so called Tracking Protection Lists. These lists can be installed in the browser to add protection against tracking, and as a side effect many forms of advertisement. A list of common TPLs is available at the Internet Explorer Test Drive website where they can be installed with just two clicks of the mouse.

The initial batch of Tracking Protection Lists have received public criticism as they did not necessarily had the best user intent in mind. Analysis of the available lists revealed for instance that one did not block a single domain name, but made sure that almost 4000 different domains were allowed.

Internet Explorer users who installed that particular TPL in their browser were not able to benefit from the new technology at all.

Microsoft yesterday revealed that a privacy initiative will release three new tracking lists in the coming days.

This week two leading privacy advocates – Simon Davies and Alexander Hanff of Privacy International – are releasing three new Tracking Protection Lists for Europe, including one focused on protecting children.

The lists will be made available on the Privacy Online from where they can then be installed directly into the Internet Explorer browser.

Child Protection: The child protection list has been designed to block all third party technologies embedded into any web site. Exceptions are added for third party technologies that are not used for tracking purposesWeb Analytics: Blocks web analytic software such as Google Analytics from tracking a user’s movement on the Internet or individual websites.Behavioural Tracking: The third and final list blocks scripts that are used for behavioral tracking on the Internet.

It is not clear when those lists become available. Users who are interested in installing those lists should first analyze them to make sure they are indeed benefiting from them.

The initiative in addition plans to release the Custom TPL Engine tool that allows users to create their own Tracking Protection Lists for use in Internet Explorer.

We have developed three different tracking protection lists covering three segments which through comprehensive research, have been highlighted as significant concerns. These include Child Protection, Analytics and general Behavioural Profiling, but our tools also allow you to build a custom list depending on your own requirements. For example, you may be happy to have companies use third party tools (like Google Analytics) to generate data on how their web site is used, but might not want advertising companies to track you across multiple web sites to build a behavioural profile. Similarly, you might be happy to allow companies to track you but might want more protection for your children. Or you may be happy for certain companies that you trust, to track your activities but not companies you have not developed a trust relationship with or companies where you do not receive direct value from such tracking.

Please note that Privacy Online is a project of the London School of Economics that is funded with a research grant from Microsoft.

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Internet Privacy Study About the Author:Martin Brinkmann is a journalist from Germany who founded Ghacks Technology News Back in 2005. He is passionate about all things tech and knows the Internet and computers like the back of his hand. You can follow Martin on Facebook or Twitter.Author: Martin Brinkmann, Tuesday January 24, 2012 -
Tags:internet-explorer, tracking protection lists

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