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Google Chrome just rolled out a new way to track you and serve ads

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Re: Google Chrome just rolled out a new way to track you and serve ads

#341

This appears to be the same as this: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37427227 Top comment on that one was: Key actionable info: to fix this, go to this URL: chrome://settings/adPrivacy and turn off the toggles on each of the three subpages. Alternatively, go to this URL https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/ to fix this permanently.

A quick googling says Firefox makes most of its money by making Google the default search. While I'm not suggesting they are doing the same, it does make me feel they are aligned as a business. Apple is the only tech company I know that's primarily funded by customers paying for a product directly. That's why I use Safari.

True, and Safari is my default browser too.

But, IIRC Google pays Apple >30x what it pays Mozilla for keeping their search engine as a default.

https://9to5mac.com/2021/08/25/analysts-google-to-pay-apple-...

Re: Google Chrome just rolled out a new way to track you and serve ads

#342

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I suspect it's your add-ons. I've been using Firefox mobile for years and I don't think I've ever had a site that worked better in Chrome. Caveats: Sometimes launching apps from the browser only works in Chrome and some demos of bleeding edge experimental Chrome features obviously don't work in Firefox.

There are definitely sites that don't work in Firefox, although they are pretty far and few between. Mailgun is one of the worst offenders. when I mentioned to their support that auth among other things was broken in Firefox, their response was "use chrome"

I heard "avoid mailgun"

Re: Google Chrome just rolled out a new way to track you and serve ads

#344

High time to require unbundling of Chrome on Android, like was done with IE on Windows back then. In EU, that is.

And that had absolutely zero effect on the market share of the browsers. No PC operating system that I know of aside from ChromeOS bundles Chrome, yet people still download it and it’s still dominant. What makes you think the outcome would be different if given a choice? Besides especially on mobile, I would be pissed if when I first used my phone I would have to use my (hypothetically limited) cellular data to downl…

> And that had absolutely zero effect on the market share of the browsers.

Did it not help FF to gain initial market share?

> Besides especially on mobile, I would be pissed if when I first used my phone I would have to use my (hypothetically limited) cellular data to download something like a browser.

No difference from the status quo then as you have to download multiple browser updates per month anyway (and in fact as the first thing after initial setup), and the reason is the incredible bloatedness and lack of scope of browsers.

> And even if you don’t use Chrome on Android, you’re still using Android - by Google.

This is about the web as an open platform relied upon for essential public services by any citizen (payment, school, administration, health care, and so on); no idea what that has to with using Android or other Google products.

Re: Google Chrome just rolled out a new way to track you and serve ads

#347

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use Firefox containers as a replacement for Chrome profiles and I find them to be quite good. The Sidebery addon adds sidebar tab groups where each group can have a different default container, I use it to maintain different sets of sessions for personal and work stuff (GitHub, etc)

I have profile specific extensions for work and personal. Containers is a half solution.

I have a unique profile directory for each project -- in both Chrome and Firefox. I use a python script to wrap it -- so when I click links in a non-browser context that will launch the python wrapper, which prompts for the browser/profile combination. It's a extra click on launch -- and each profile needs to get configured (add uBO, etc). But I've got full isolation on those things.

Re: Google Chrome just rolled out a new way to track you and serve ads

#348
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used Brave for awhile, but it got too crypto which made it feel scammy.

I just don't understand this take. In every Chrome gripefest thread, there will be a comment about switching to Firefox that's at or near the top, and then a comment about Brave closer to the bottom. With half the replies to that comment being about crypto, or even smaller niche players like Vivaldi that are closed-source and don't even have an iOS version. Look, I'm not into crypto. But it takes me about two clicks…

I'll give Brave another look. I mainly use Safari, and use a Chrome-like browser for a few places where it works better.

Re: Google Chrome just rolled out a new way to track you and serve ads

#349
post #250

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is lost in this discussion is that now my browser, software on my machine, using my resources is the agent that is acting against my own interests.

Your browser has been serving ad banners since 1994, nothing new here.

The simple display of a sponsored banner and the systematic tracking of people throughout their online activities are not the same thing.

Re: Google Chrome just rolled out a new way to track you and serve ads

#350

I stopped using Chrome two years ago. I deleted the Facebook app. I have blockers on my desktop and iPhone. I’m aware everyone’s PI info is already compromised, but I’m not adding fuel. There are excellent alternatives to Chrome. I encourage everyone to adopt one.

What are you using for iPhone?
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