DuckDuckGo Extension to Block FLoC, Google’s New Tracking Method in Chrome • Hacker News Board

Re: DuckDuckGo Extension to Block FLoC, Google’s New Tracking Method in Chrome

#91

Post by ryankrage77 » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 11:14 AM UTC

blackbear_ wrote: post #38

ryankrage77 wrote: post #19

Tried the DDG extension, it changed my default search engine without asking. Uninstalled.

> Search with DuckDuckGo by Default — install, and we'll set your default search engine and homepage to DuckDuckGo Search so you can start your Internet searches without being tracked. First bullet point in the description.

This wasn't mentioned in the article, and it's the second bullet point in the description on the FF extension page (and it's worded differently on my end too). I was interested in using it purely for blocking trackers.

Re: DuckDuckGo Extension to Block FLoC, Google’s New Tracking Method in Chrome

#92

Post by doctorhandshake » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 11:15 AM UTC

mcdonje wrote: post #82

Must be a bad floc if a duck is telling me to stay away.

Couldn’t decide whether to upvote or downvote. Taking the high ground with this comment.

Re: DuckDuckGo Extension to Block FLoC, Google’s New Tracking Method in Chrome

#93

Post by dazc » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 11:17 AM UTC

danielbln wrote: post #39

dazc wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree, for localised results Google is much better. I guess it depends what your normal search activity is to how much you'll notice the difference? For everyday searching I find DDG perfectly adequate and enjoy the ad-free, google-product-free experience. !G is handy sometimes though.

DDG has ads though.

Not to the extreme that Google does though - and you can also turn them off.

Re: DuckDuckGo Extension to Block FLoC, Google’s New Tracking Method in Chrome

#94

Post by Yizahi » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 11:20 AM UTC

CodeGlitch wrote: post #13

Brave has also disabled FLoC: https://brave.com/why-brave-disables-floc/

That's only while Google graciously allows to disable it at all. When Google will decide to make Floc permanent, these Chrome mods called Brave and Vivaldi will be forced to do it too.

Re: DuckDuckGo Extension to Block FLoC, Google’s New Tracking Method in Chrome

#95

Post by Yizahi » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 11:21 AM UTC

dnndev wrote: post #50

What about Microsoft edge?

You mean Google Chrome Edge?

Re: DuckDuckGo Extension to Block FLoC, Google’s New Tracking Method in Chrome

#96

Post by mavhc » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 11:24 AM UTC

asddubs wrote: post #34

toastal wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Though the official shorthand is “Fx”

the official shorthand that literally nobody uses?

And is already used by many other things

Re: DuckDuckGo Extension to Block FLoC, Google’s New Tracking Method in Chrome

#97

Post by blfr » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 11:25 AM UTC

Firefox is by far the superior browser for all your casual needs: browsing, reading, tweeting, banking, etc. It's good enough and fast enough but where it excels are addons.

Adblocking works so much better on Firefox. It blocks even the mere shadow of ads, like "skip this ad" button on YouTube, no promoted tweets, no warnings about cookies, GDPR, ads and nonsense almost cease the exist.

And Tree Style Tabs provides both ascended aesthetic and unparalleled usability. Where Chrome monits you with some annoying popup about tab groups, Tree Style Tabs brings order effortlessly.

This is not a choice between a better browser that tracks you or whatever and some FLOSS alternative that sort-of works. There is a clear winner on merits and it ain't Chrome, not for this crowd, anyway.

Re: DuckDuckGo Extension to Block FLoC, Google’s New Tracking Method in Chrome

#98

Post by mavhc » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 11:26 AM UTC

kilnr wrote: post #37

AlchemistCamp wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't changing your default search engine to DDG the main appeal of the DDG extension?

That argument starts to lose some of its power when DDG is recommending the extension specifically to block FLoC.

The whole site is disingenuous, it's pushing an agenda not presenting facts.

Re: DuckDuckGo Extension to Block FLoC, Google’s New Tracking Method in Chrome

#99

Post by lessname » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 11:28 AM UTC

Yizahi wrote: post #94

CodeGlitch wrote: post #13

Brave has also disabled FLoC: https://brave.com/why-brave-disables-floc/

That's only while Google graciously allows to disable it at all. When Google will decide to make Floc permanent, these Chrome mods called Brave and Vivaldi will be forced to do it too.

it's actually been completely removed from brave nightly as the link says

Re: DuckDuckGo Extension to Block FLoC, Google’s New Tracking Method in Chrome

#100

Post by pbronez » Thu, Apr 15, 2021, 11:29 AM UTC

johnchristopher wrote: post #47

rapnie wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Might say "Optimized for privacy-respecting browsers. Chrome users might experience issues [more info]"

In what way is the site "optimized for privacy-respecting browsers" ? The browser is the thing being optimized. Does it mean to say that the website operators will intentionnaly not respect privacy of Chrome users but they will for Firefox ? “Chrome users might experience issues” but what issues ? It reads like a dishonest TOS like the one used by service providers using catch-all statements to cover their backs. It…

I would expect such a site to work well without third-party scripts, without JavaScript, and perhaps even without a GUI. I would expect it to provide full functionality on Firefox with aggressive uBlock settings and on text-based browsers. I would be surprised to see a cookie banner.

Mostly, I would expect the site to work quickly and deliver valuable information with minimal nonsense, while integrating well with power user tools based on web standards.

I wish all websites were like this!