Apple removes Do Not Track from Safari to combat fingerprinting

Spread the love

Apple is removing the Do Not Track feature from Safari. The option was supposed to make it clear to websites that users do not want to be tracked on the internet, but many companies ignore the voluntary signal. As a result, the function has proved ineffective.

Apple fears that website creators could use fingerprinting, which recognizes Internet users in favor of tracking, in Safari 12.1’s changelog for macOS 10.14.4 and iOS 12.2. The option has been in Safari since 2011, but many companies ignore the signal that users don’t want to be tracked and follow them anyway. That’s okay too.

Apple has been focusing on other measures to prevent tracking in the browser for some time. For example, it no longer passes on things such as installed fonts and warns Safari against tracking with a Facebook Like button. Safari 12.1 will also restrict access to sensor data. Unlike Chrome maker Google, Apple does not depend on advertising for revenue.

You might also like