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Google will use Chrome browsing data for ad tailoring

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Re: Google will use Chrome browsing data for ad tailoring

#41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What good browser is free of this horror?

Firefox prompts you before even turning on search prediction, and it asks you about telemetry at first startup.

For people like me Firefox offer the best of both worlds:

* No google keylogger in the main url bar (but local autocomplete based on previous history, bookmarks etc)

* access to autocomplete in search field next to url bar (I think removing this was one of the simplifications in the original Chrome.)

Ctrl-L: go to url bar

Ctrl-K: go to search field

Re: Google will use Chrome browsing data for ad tailoring

#42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not convinced it's opt-in. I just visited that page, and everything was switched on. I can't profess to having a perfect memory, but I can say that opting in would have been pretty out of character thing for me to do.

> I'm not convinced it's opt-in. I just visited that page, and everything was switched on. I can't profess to having a perfect memory, but I can say that opting in would have been pretty out of character thing for me to do. I in fact explicitly remember clicking no to a prompt similar to this one, so I'm very puzzled how I got auto-opted in anyways..

I just got this prompt yesterday and explicitly opted out. It has it opted in currently in the Activity Controls of my account. Clearly this opt out screen does not work.

Re: Google will use Chrome browsing data for ad tailoring

#43
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What good browser is free of this horror?

Qutebrowser.

qutebrowser¹ is fantastic. I just wish it had more ways to block trackers on webpages (other than just completely disabling JavaScript—even being able to whitelist JavaScript on certain hostnames would be a huge start).

――――――

¹ — https://qutebrowser.org/

Re: Google will use Chrome browsing data for ad tailoring

#44

The way the screenshot is cropped is misleading. The actual page makes it clear this feature is opt-in. If you're logged into a Google account and haven't already made a choice on the page you can see it at http://www.google.com/settings/ads .

I'm not convinced it's opt-in. I just visited that page, and everything was switched on. I can't profess to having a perfect memory, but I can say that opting in would have been pretty out of character thing for me to do.

Ad personalization is on by default. The checkbox that says:

> Also use Google Account activity and information to personalize ads on these websites and apps and store that data in your Google Account

Should be off if you didn't opt-in though. I just tested it with a new Google account and it was off after I opted out.

Re: Google will use Chrome browsing data for ad tailoring

#45
post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I'm not convinced it's opt-in. I just visited that page, and everything was switched on. I can't profess to having a perfect memory, but I can say that opting in would have been pretty out of character thing for me to do. I in fact explicitly remember clicking no to a prompt similar to this one, so I'm very puzzled how I got auto-opted in anyways..

I just got this prompt yesterday and explicitly opted out. It has it opted in currently in the Activity Controls of my account. Clearly this opt out screen does not work.

Activity Controls is whether or not Google logs Web/App activity. The Ads opt-out controls interest-based ads as a whole, including from Web & App Activity if enabled.

Re: Google will use Chrome browsing data for ad tailoring

#46
post #8

Does this apply to Chromium? Because if not, I'm definitely switching.

Chromium is mostly unencumbered by Google bloatware, honestly it's the version most people should be using.

One reason I have to use Chrome (over Chromium) is so I can use Netflix due to DRM plugin required: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/chromium-browser/+...

Otherwise I agree, Chromium is faster and has less suprises

Re: Google will use Chrome browsing data for ad tailoring

#47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Chromium is mostly unencumbered by Google bloatware, honestly it's the version most people should be using.

One reason I have to use Chrome (over Chromium) is so I can use Netflix due to DRM plugin required: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/chromium-browser/+... Otherwise I agree, Chromium is faster and has less suprises

I use Netflix in Chromium via chromium-widevine (in the AUR if you use Arch.)

Re: Google will use Chrome browsing data for ad tailoring

#48
post #35

The way the screenshot is cropped is misleading. The actual page makes it clear this feature is opt-in. If you're logged into a Google account and haven't already made a choice on the page you can see it at http://www.google.com/settings/ads .

I don't recall ever enabling this but this is enabled already for me. (note that not recalling doesn't mean I never enabled it, however it would have had to have been fairly inconspicuously for me to "opt-in")

what about 'don't be evil'; have they silently changed the corporate motto, or is it now an 'opt-in' clause ? ( opt-in for the customers 'request that no evil be done to you', the customers are otherwise known as 'the product' https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2013/11/surveillance_... )

Re: Google will use Chrome browsing data for ad tailoring

#49
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't recall ever enabling this but this is enabled already for me. (note that not recalling doesn't mean I never enabled it, however it would have had to have been fairly inconspicuously for me to "opt-in")

what about 'don't be evil'; have they silently changed the corporate motto, or is it now an 'opt-in' clause ? ( opt-in for the customers 'request that no evil be done to you', the customers are otherwise known as 'the product' https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2013/11/surveillance_... )

"Don't be evil if someone explicitly asks you to not be evil."

Re: Google will use Chrome browsing data for ad tailoring

#50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not convinced it's opt-in. I just visited that page, and everything was switched on. I can't profess to having a perfect memory, but I can say that opting in would have been pretty out of character thing for me to do.

> I'm not convinced it's opt-in. I just visited that page, and everything was switched on. I can't profess to having a perfect memory, but I can say that opting in would have been pretty out of character thing for me to do. I in fact explicitly remember clicking no to a prompt similar to this one, so I'm very puzzled how I got auto-opted in anyways..

"Auto-opted in." I can't wait for dodgy software bundlers to start using this doublespeak terminology.
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