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Google Chrome pushes browser history-based ad targeting

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Re: Google Chrome pushes browser history-based ad targeting

#71

Post by popol12 »

thorio wrote: post #46

This is absolutely fantastic! It releases me from my region beta paradox and finally gives me enough activation energy to break my laziness of using chrome mobile (only left-over). Would like to head for Firefox, if they would only add some usability features I'm so used to (like tab groups). So Brave it will be, i guess... Still the sad thing is, that both Brave (technically) and Firefox (financially) are heavily de…

You might want to investigate tree style tabs addons like https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/tree-style-ta... It's not exactly tab groups but it makes tabs management so efficient that I'm not using tab groups anymore

Re: Google Chrome pushes browser history-based ad targeting

#72

Post by the_gipsy »

matheusmoreira wrote: post #58
the_gipsy wrote: post #8

And there is no end in sight. For the love of God, please switch to Firefox.

There is an end in sight: Firefox's. Mozilla has billion dollars and is cutting back on Firefox software development to focus on paying executives and pushing agendas.

You're either out of touch, or pushing an agenda yourself.

Firefox is a great browser, a sensible choice without any flaws that exists RIGHT NOW, that does not add a weekly "feature" that encroaches the user's interests.

Re: Google Chrome pushes browser history-based ad targeting

#74

Post by ranting-moth »

We value your privacy. The valuation is about $20 and we've already sold it to the highest bidder. Thanks for choosing us to auction it off.

We'll keep the money as per T&C (we're looking forward to the firstborn too!). As a token of good will, here's an ankle bracelet.

Re: Google Chrome pushes browser history-based ad targeting

#75

Post by skitter »

Tistron wrote: post #38
tazjin wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Firefox is just less usable. It's slower and a lot of config options are missing. Stuff that is common in enterprises and has buttons in Chrome (e.g. "add the intranet search to your browser!") is hard in Firefox (you have to write and serve a specific XML file somewhere). Also it has a big incredible redesign every 2 weeks, as far as I can tell from HN, while Chrome's UI is mostly boring and stable.

Yeah. For me, the main feature that has me use chrome instead is that it can remember my credit card details. I don't understand how it can be that firefox doesn't do this, it's so annoying.

Firefox does do this.

Re: Google Chrome pushes browser history-based ad targeting

#77

Post by robin_reala »

tazjin wrote: post #27
talonx wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or, stick to Firefox. In the long run I want a browser that has a solid community or base behind it, with a mostly-good record (no point chasing perfection here) of privacy and security. The Mozilla Foundation has done a good but not stellar job (remember 1.1.1.1?). I also don't want to change browsers because someday Vivaldi - hypothetically - gets acquired by Evil Corp, or has some vulnerability that remains unpatc…

Firefox, the browser that recently started literally showing ad spam on the new tab page on mobile? I'm sure they're a lot better.

They are a lot better. You’re talking about Google, a company that literally owns its existence and trillions of dollars of revenue to targeted advertising across the entire world, vs Mozilla, a company that’s chosen to add a few non-targetted ads that are easily disabled.[1]

[1] https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/sponsor-privacy

Re: Google Chrome pushes browser history-based ad targeting

#78

Post by jeroenhd »

Zetobal wrote: post #64
jeroenhd wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can see the point here. Ad companies will track your browsing history. Google doesn't want to rely on cookies and fingerprints and probably wants to nuke tracking capabilities as well, but doing so in their browser while they still sell ads would be regulatory suicide. Providing an open API for advertisers that doesn't require endless digital stalking is the only way Google will ever be able to enforce stricter ant…

1. The argument that "it's been happening for the last ten years" is not a valid justification for the continuation of a practice that infringes on user privacy. Progress in digital privacy rights should aim at enhancing user control over their data, not maintaining status quo. 2. The suggestion that Google has only a limited choice between maintaining its main source of income or facing antitrust lawsuits is an over…

1. That's what they're doing. That's what this is.

2. That's what they're doing. That's what this is.

3. It's not a feature, it's an advantage for browsers like Firefox and Brave that happen to be made possible. Google sure won't advertise with it.

4. What data? Ad companies know through tracking that you've visit cars.com three times during lunch every work day except on your day off on Friday, who cares if they now get an API that says "I like cars".

Re: Google Chrome pushes browser history-based ad targeting

#80

Post by Zetobal »

jeroenhd wrote: post #78
Zetobal wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

1. The argument that "it's been happening for the last ten years" is not a valid justification for the continuation of a practice that infringes on user privacy. Progress in digital privacy rights should aim at enhancing user control over their data, not maintaining status quo. 2. The suggestion that Google has only a limited choice between maintaining its main source of income or facing antitrust lawsuits is an over…

1. That's what they're doing. That's what this is. 2. That's what they're doing. That's what this is. 3. It's not a feature, it's an advantage for browsers like Firefox and Brave that happen to be made possible. Google sure won't advertise with it. 4. What data? Ad companies know through tracking that you've visit cars.com three times during lunch every work day except on your day off on Friday, who cares if they now…

1. The issue is not just about improving privacy; it's about the method involved. Using browsing history, personal data by nature, still raises significant privacy concerns, regardless of Google's intentions.

2. Trading privacy for utility. A truly innovative solution would respect privacy from the ground up, not pretending to retrofit privacy into an advertising model.

3. The nuance here is about "default" privacy. Even if the feature provides some privacy, it shouldn't require user intervention or tech prowess. Privacy should be a given, not a bonus.

4. The concern isn't just about "liking cars" but the ability to infer personal and sensitive information from gathered data. This may lead to the misuse of data by third parties, reinforcing the need for stringent privacy safeguards.

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