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The “Do Not Track” option is enabled by default in Windows 8’s Internet Explorer 10 and available in Firefox, Safari, and Opera. Google is even adding it to Chrome. There’s just one problem: it doesn’t actually prevent tracking.The Do Not Track check box can provide a false sense of security. While a few websites will pay attention to it, the vast majority of websites will ignore your preference......Most websites simply ignore the Do Not Track field. Among websites that listen to the request, they’ll react to the request in different ways. Some will simply disable targeted advertising, showing you generic advertisements instead of ones targeted to your interests, all while tracking you and using the data for other purposes. Some may disable tracking by other websites, but still track how you use their website for their own purposes. Some may disable all tracking. There’s little agreement on how websites should react to Do Not Track.Currently, Do Not Track is completely voluntary. In the future, it’s possible that some countries will pass laws forcing websites to obey this preference. It’s also possible that some advertising or business organizations may require their members to obey this setting.The debate over tracking is a thorny issue – for one, tracking can be used to display ads for products you’re interested in, such as ads for tech products instead of ads for diapers. These ads also help fund websites.If Do Not Track is enforced by law, the web will likely still be full of websites that track you. They’ll be located in other countries where adherence to Do Not Track isn’t enforced, just as our email addresses are constantly receiving spam in spite of spam being illegal in many countries.
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Topic: What ‘Do Not Track’ Doesn’t Do (Read 730 times)
