Google offers "opt out" of Analytics

[miles01110]

Looks like Google is at least going through the motions of being an "industry leader" (hah hah) in the privacy arena, or at least making their efforts visible (to people that actually care enough) to distance themselves from facebook. Doesn't mean you can take off your tin hat, but it's a step in the right direction.

Google Analytics is now letting users opt out of having your information, including your IP address, sent to Google’s central servers if you install a browser plug-in for IE 7 or 8, Google Chrome and Mozilla’s Firefox. Google Analytics program manager Amy Chang described the new tool as a way to “provide even more choice and transparency for both website owners and users.”

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/20...+wired/index+(Wired:+Index+3+(Top+Stories+2))

Here's the direct link to the plugin:

http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

 

[jzuena]

Nice that they don't support Safari. Will this change if Apple comes out with official extension support, or will Google try to ignore Safari even then? If Apple provides official extension support and Google still doesn't add Safari to the list, I'm sure some lawyer will start a class action lawsuit and make a ton of money.

 

[miles01110]

If Apple provides official extension support and Google still doesn't add Safari to the list, I'm sure some lawyer will start a class action lawsuit and make a ton of money.

Err...no. Google's not under any obligation to produce plugins, nor are they under any obligation to offer opting out.

 

[steve2112]

I've been opting out for a while now. I use NoScript for Firefox. Google Analytics is blocked in it.

 

[Ubuntu]

Nice that they don't support Safari. Will this change if Apple comes out with official extension support, or will Google try to ignore Safari even then? If Apple provides official extension support and Google still doesn't add Safari to the list, I'm sure some lawyer will start a class action lawsuit and make a ton of money.

Well they've made it for three browsers already, I'm sure they'll cater for Safari once they can do so.

 

[dmmcintyre3]

Why use a plugin? just add this to your hosts file:

0.0.0.0 www.google-analytics.com google-analytics.com