Google's widespread tracking across the web

Post by jgalt212 » Mon, Jul 14, 2025, 1:15 PM UTC

simpss wrote: post #31

jgalt212 wrote: post #26

> Even in countries with strict laws like the GDPR, Google's trackers are still everywhere. That raises questions about how effective these regulations really are in practice. This is basically it. GDPR is a stupid unenforceable law, and should be wiped from the books. Try again with something new.

It took a while, but is starting to work. Many "cookie banners" have finally started to work in the EU. Once you deny PII processing many sites don't load GA etc... The time of malicious compliance is starting to pass. Some sites have figured it out and realized they really don't need personalized analytics and have replaced implementations with privacy respecting ones(ex, plausible). This lets them remove the dark-p…

Post by v5v3 » Mon, Jul 14, 2025, 1:21 PM UTC

figmert wrote: post #59

v5v3 wrote: post #56

A lot of browser's have tracking blocked and there will be a icon in the top bar which will show this. And many vpns also offer an option to block trackers and ads before they get to you.

VPN providers can't meaningfully block trackers. If they say they do, they have to be intercepting SSL which requires extra work (must install their generated CA on all clients) and you are literally handing over all data to the VPN provider, more so than without of course, as they'd be able to decrypt HTTPS payloads.

Post by blueflow » Mon, Jul 14, 2025, 1:26 PM UTC

randomtoast wrote: post #69

blueflow wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It isn't, parent is making stuff up. Browsers do not offer an interface that is exposing that information. And remote servers are outside of your local network and thus cannot see these values, either.

That's true for browsers, but Google controls both the Android OS and Google Play Services, giving them access to hardware identifiers on Android smartphones. Given the broad adoption of Android devices and the potential to correlate data, this is not a case of "making stuff up." Even if your MAC address is spoofed/randomized, the remaining data points are still sufficient to track you.

Post by openplatypus » Mon, Jul 14, 2025, 1:37 PM UTC

reconnecting wrote: post #54

AdriaanvRossum wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ha, nice find! I'm the Adriaan in adriaan.com. I'm testing some new script features that might improve deliverability. It's not sending any personal data. I use another domain to have the least effect of ad-blockers.

Nice to meet you, Adriaan. This is slightly incorrect. By sending a request from your business website (SimpleAnalytics) to your personal domain (Adriaan), you actually transfer personal data. In this case, it’s the IP address, which according to GDPR is considered PII. Taking into account the scope of privacy terms provided on your business website, it doesn’t include data sharing with your personal entity through y…

Post by prox » Mon, Jul 14, 2025, 1:42 PM UTC

v5v3 wrote: post #57

amelius wrote: post #24

User tracking only exists because it generates money. We should ban the entire practice. No more targeted ads (with very little exceptions).

Then something else will replace it. To make the same amount of money.