Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Applications
    • Applications

    Google Chrome 23 Includes New ‘Do Not Track’ Feature

    Written by

    Brian Prince
    Published November 8, 2012
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      Google has followed through on plans to provide a “do not track” feature in the latest version of its Chrome browser.

      In Chrome 23, users have the option to select “do not track,” which will include a request with their browser traffic for Websites to disable tracking. The move comes after the company announced in February that it would support “do not track” in Chrome by the end of the year.

      The option is not enabled by default. To turn on, a user needs to go to the menu at the top-right corner of the browser and click on the “settings” option. From there, users should select “advanced settings,” browse to the “privacy” menu and check the “send a ‘do not track’ request with your browsing traffic” option.

      “This latest release … includes an option to send a ‘do not track’ request to Websites and Web services,” blogged Google software engineer Ami Fischman. “The effectiveness of such requests is dependent on how Websites and services respond, so Google is working with others on a common way to respond to these requests in the future.”

      The addition of the “do not track” feature brings Google in line with other major browser vendors. Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Opera all have gone the same route in their most recent browsers.

      The way this feature was adopted by Microsoft in Internet Explorer has been a source of controversy. In October, the board of directors of the Association of National Advertisers objected to Microsoft’s plans to ship Internet Explorer 10 (IE 10) with the “do not track” setting turned on by default, stating in a letter to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer that the decision could eliminate the ability to collect Web viewing data for much of the American public.

      When users switch on the “do not track” feature, a message appears, which explains why Chrome’s approach is not a perfect answer to users’ demand for browsing privacy.

      “Enabling ‘do not track’ means that a request will be included with your browsing traffic,” according to the message. “Any effect depends on whether a Website responds to the request and how the request is interpreted. For example, some Websites may respond to this request by showing you ads that aren’t based on other Websites you’ve visited. Many Websites will still collect and use your browsing data—for example to improve security, to provide content, services, ads and recommendations on their Websites, and to generate reporting statistics.”

      In addition to the “do not track” feature, the latest version of Chrome also patched 14 vulnerabilities, six of which are rated “high.” Of the remaining eight, seven are rated “medium” and the final bug is classified as “low” risk. The company said it has also enabled GPU-accelerated video decoding for Chrome on Windows.

      “Dedicated graphics chips draw far less power than a computer’s CPU, so using GPU-accelerated video decoding while watching videos can increase battery life significantly,” blogged Fischman. “You’ll also find it much easier to view and control any Website’s permissions for capabilities such as geolocation, pop-ups and camera/microphone access. This saves you from having to dig through settings pages to find these permissions. Now, simply click on the page/lock icon next to a Website’s address in the omnibox to see a list of permissions and tweak them as you wish.”

      Brian Prince
      Brian Prince

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      Get the Free Newsletter!

      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Artificial Intelligence

      9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

      Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
      AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
      Read more
      Cloud

      RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

      Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
      RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
      Read more
      Artificial Intelligence

      8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

      Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
      Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
      Read more
      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Video

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×