Fingerprints are the new cookies (royfish.dev)

Article summary

The article discusses how device fingerprinting has become a new method for tracking users online, allowing companies to collect data and create detailed profiles. This method is more invasive than traditional cookie-based tracking and can be used to identify users even when they use incognito mode or VPNs. The article explains how fingerprinting works and how it can be used to collect information about a user's device, browser, and behavior. Companies can use this data to target ads, but also to sell to the highest bidder, including governments and other organizations.

Main themes

• device fingerprinting
• online tracking
• privacy concerns
• advertising
• data collection
• regulation and policy
• anti-fingerprinting measures
• online security and anonymity

What commenters say

• Fingerprinting is a significant threat to online privacy and can be used to track users even when they take steps to protect themselves.
• The EU's consent banners are ineffective in preventing tracking, as they only address cookies and not fingerprinting.
• Some argue that fingerprinting is not a major concern, as it is primarily used for targeted advertising, while others believe it has more sinister implications, such as enabling companies to build detailed profiles of users.
• Using anti-fingerprinting measures, such as Brave or Tor, can help protect users, but may not be entirely effective and can also cause inconvenience, such as triggering 2FA flags.
• Paying cash and avoiding online purchases can help protect privacy, but may not be practical or effective for everyone.
• The collection of user data can have serious consequences, such as impacting job offers, prices, and credit scores.
• Some argue that the benefits of anti-fingerprinting measures are limited, as companies can still collect data through other means, such as purchase history and delivery addresses.
• Others believe that taking steps to protect online privacy is essential, even if it is imperfect, as it can help prevent companies from collecting and exploiting user data.