Hey advertisers, track this (blog.mozilla.org)

Article summary

Mozilla has launched a project called Track THIS to help users recognize how cookies are used to collect information about their internet habits without their consent. The project allows users to open 100 tabs at once, simulating a different persona and throwing off brands who want to advertise to a specific type of person. This is part of Mozilla's efforts to promote privacy and security, including Enhanced Tracking Protection in Firefox. The goal is to give users control over what advertisers know about them.

Main themes

• online privacy
• ad tracking
• browser security
• digital surveillance
• ad industry
• user control

What commenters say

• The Track THIS project is a fun and effective way to demonstrate the invasive nature of ad tracking and promote user awareness about online privacy.
• Allowing a site to open 100 tabs programmatically is a potential security risk and could be abused by malicious sites.
• The ad industry has a strong stake in continuing to collect user data and will likely find ways to adapt to efforts to block tracking.
• Some users are concerned that participating in the Track THIS project could put them on 'nasty lists' or compromise their online security.
• Others argue that the benefits of promoting online privacy and security outweigh the potential risks and that users should take steps to protect themselves.
• The effectiveness of efforts to block ad tracking is debated, with some arguing that it is a waste of time and others believing that it can be an effective way to increase online privacy.
• The use of tools like Tor and Tails OS may also be monitored by governments and other entities, highlighting the need for ongoing efforts to protect user privacy and security.