Зарегистрируйтесь сейчас для лучшей персонализированной цитаты!

How to stop Google from selling your browser history for ad targeting

6 сентября 2023 года Hi-network.com
Photo Illustration by Chesnot/Getty Images

Over the past several months, Google has been slowly rolling out Chrome's new ad technology. Describing it as "Enhanced ad privacy," the new policy essentially lets websites take a user's Chrome browser history and serve related ads. 

The new technology first appeared in a Chrome update in July, but now more and more users are reporting a popup announcing the addition. So if you haven't seen it yet, odds are you will soon. 

Also: Obsessed with privacy? Keep Tails on a USB drive and secure most any computer

When the popup does appear, it informs users that ad policies are changing and details what's new. Google does tell users that "You can make changes in Chrome settings," but clicking "Got it" to dismiss the box leaves the new option on.

While it's essentially the same as third-party tracking cookies that have been around for some time, many people are upset about Google using their online activity to make more ad profit. Fortunately, there's a fairly easy way to opt out.

From your Chrome browser, click on "Settings," then "Privacy and Security," and then "Ad Privacy." Once you're there, you'll see a screen with three tabs -- ad topics, site-suggested ads, and ad measurement. 

Screenshot by David Grober/ZDNet

The first is an algorithm that creates a list of things Google thinks you're interested in based on your online activity, the second is a service that suggests ads based on websites you've visited, and the third is a data category that lets advertisers see how ads are performing. 

Also: Google just made its Chrome browser more secure by cutting 'patch gap' in half

If you'd like, you can dive into ad topics to see what Google knows about you. But if you'd like to just go ahead and stop it from tracking you (at least for these purposes), simply toggle all three categories off.

Screenshot by David Grober/ZDNet

Other sites will still have methods of tracking you, but this cuts down on Google Chrome's usage of your personal information. 

Of course, this is only a small part of the online privacy puzzle, and you're still being tracked almost everywhere you go online. Still, it's a start toward giving users more control over their data. 

If you're still a little iffy on Chrome's new policy, you might also want to consider an alternative browser that focuses on that area.

Security

8 habits of highly secure remote workersHow to find and remove spyware from your phoneThe best VPN services: How do the top 5 compare?How to find out if you are involved in a data breach -- and what to do next
  • 8 habits of highly secure remote workers
  • How to find and remove spyware from your phone
  • The best VPN services: How do the top 5 compare?
  • How to find out if you are involved in a data breach -- and what to do next

tag-icon Горячие метки: Технологии и оборудование Безопасность и охрана

Copyright © 2014-2024 Hi-Network.com | HAILIAN TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED | All Rights Reserved.