MacRumors has NOT opted out of Google's new FLoc tracking

[briloronmacrumo]

According to Russell at SweetP Productions "Google has proposed a new tracking system to replace third party cookies. It's called FLoC (Federated Learning of Cohorts), and is already being tested in Chrome"

"It works roughly like this; your browsing history is analyzed in the browser and you are assigned an ID and are grouped with other users who share a similar browsing history. Your ID is then shared with advertisers who are looking for users with history/interests such as yours."

The tracking is "opt-out" and not opt-in, so this means sites must specifically request to opt-out. Testing MacRumor's url ( https://www.macrumors.com ) shows shows they have not opted-out.

The following site explains how MacRumors can opt-out: https://paramdeo.com/blog/opting-your-website-out-of-googles-floc-network

To test if a website has opted-out use this link: https://aretheyflocing.me/

A detailed explanation of FLoC can be found here: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/03/googles-floc-terrible-idea

 

[Mr.Blacky]

Is this site "aretheyflocing.me" a joke? I entered completely nonsense like "gugugaga.com" or "dveh73?;!;928?j€4738.com" and it always says:
"... seems to be sharing data with Google's FLoC tracking network... 🤔

🤨

 

[benshive]

Is this site "aretheyflocing.me" a joke? I entered completely nonsense like "gugugaga.com" or "dveh73?;!;928?j€4738.com" and it always says:
"... seems to be sharing data with Google's FLoC tracking network... 🤔

🤨

Maybe since since sites are opted-in by default it shows that everything that doesn't specifically opt-out is using the new network. Just a guess. But you'd think the site would check if the entered site is reachable at all before trying to make a decision.

 

[briloronmacrumo]

Is this site "aretheyflocing.me" a joke? I entered completely nonsense like "gugugaga.com" or "dveh73?;!;928?j€4738.com" and it always says:
"... seems to be sharing data with Google's FLoC tracking network... 🤔

🤨

Not a joke. To avoid tracking a website must specifically opt-out. This means the website must make an effort to change their site. It also means the default is to allow or permit Google's tracking. Unless the tool ( not mine ) finds an indication the website has opted-out, it probably assumes the website has done nothing.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I believe MR uses Google for analytics as many other sites do. You should consider a different browser if you don't want to be a victim of Google's long reach.

 

[giv-as-a-ciggy-kent]

"It works roughly like this; your browsing history is analyzed in the browser and you are assigned an ID and are grouped with other users who share a similar browsing history. Your ID is then shared with advertisers who are looking for users with history/interests such as yours."

The tracking is "opt-out" and not opt-in, so this means sites must specifically request to opt-out. Testing MacRumor's url ( https://www.macrumors.com ) shows shows they have not opted-out.​

Thanks for posting this. What an absolutely disgusting state of affairs. "We data mine your users unless you ask us not to and even if you do, I mean, how will you ever know? lol" <-- this is despicable.

Compelling data point showing that Apple is on the right track.

 

[Airforcekid]

Switch to Brave all the benefits of Chrome without FLoc or other built in tracking. Plus Macrumors accepts BAT donations it a nice way to give back to the site if you opt into the ads.

 

[vicks1008]

You can use the DuckDuckGo Chrome Extension to block FLoc tracking in the meantime if you must use Chrome as your browser.

https://spreadprivacy.com/block-floc-with-duckduckgo/

In response to Google automatically turning on FLoC, we've enhanced the tracker blocking in our Chrome extension to also block FLoC interactions on websites. This is directly in line with the single purpose of our extension of protecting your privacy holistically as you use your browser. It’s privacy, simplified. (If you use a non-Chrome browser, you can get our extension here.) The FLoC blocking feature is included in version 2021.4.8 and newer of the DuckDuckGo extension, which should auto-update, though you can also check the version you have installed from the extensions list within Chrome.

 

[telecomm]

Thanks for raising this issue briloronmacrumo. I wasn't familiar with the FLoC, but it's been really interesting to read the EFF's account of the technology.

 

[MacBH928]

Jokes on MacRumors, not using Chrome spyware in the first place

 

[AutomaticApple]

Jokes on MacRumors, not using Chrome spyware in the first place

Google Chrome would've never gained mainstream popularity if it actually was spyware.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you're referring to fake versions of Google Chrome or malicious extensions.

---

Regardless, I do agree that it's ridiculous that MacRumors won't let us opt out of FLoC tracking. They should focus on that ASAP.

 

[MacBH928]

Google Chrome would've never gained mainstream popularity if it actually was spyware.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you're referring to fake versions of Google Chrome or malicious extensions.

---

Regardless, I do agree that it's ridiculous that MacRumors won't let us opt out of FLoC tracking. They should focus on that ASAP.

"Spyware describes software with malicious behavior that aims to gather information about a person or organization and send such information to another entity in a way that harms the use"

 

[maflynn]

Jokes on MacRumors, not using Chrome spyware in the first place

I don't think the jokes on MacRumors

I don't follow a lot of what Google does with tracking but I have been transitioning over to Brave which is supposed to be more privacy orientated.

 

[AutomaticApple]

"Spyware describes software with malicious behavior that aims to gather information about a person or organization and send such information to another entity in a way that harms the use"

Which isn't what Google Chrome is...

The government would've intervened a looong time ago if that was true, especially considering the fact that Google Chrome had 65.99% of the global browser market in 2020 according to the chart posted above.

 

[SpringKid]

For Chrome’s POC, cohorts will be logged with sync in a limited set of circumstances. Namely, all of the following conditions must be met:

1. The user is logged into a Google account and opted to sync history data with Chrome
2. The user does not block third-party cookies
3. The user’s Google Activity Controlshave the following enabled:
   1. “Web & App Activity”
   2. “Include Chrome history and activity from sites, apps, and devices that use Google services”
4. The user’s Google Ad Settingshave the following enabled:
   1. “Ad Personalization”
   2. “Also use your activity & information from Google services to personalize ads on websites and apps that partner with Google to show ads.”

From: https://github.com/WICG/floc#qualifying-users-for-whom-a-cohort-will-be-logged-with-their-sync-data

 

[DotCom2]

What is the big deal about Chrome anyway? I've never used it. What does Chrome do that Safari can't please?

 

[giv-as-a-ciggy-kent]

What is the big deal about Chrome anyway? I've never used it. What does Chrome do that Safari can't please?

monetize your usage habits and history

 

[AutomaticApple]

monetize your usage habits and history

Not sure about the latter...

 

[MacBH928]

I don't think the jokes on MacRumors

I don't follow a lot of what Google does with tracking but I have been transitioning over to Brave which is supposed to be more privacy orientated.

View attachment 1775405

Well... jokes on them when I am on MacRumors because I don't use toxic software

What is the big deal about Chrome anyway? I've never used it. What does Chrome do that Safari can't please?

80%+ market share of PC that use Windows and Android do not have Safari as an option. Either way there is also FireFox and Brave.

People use Chrome out of habit and do not care to change. They see no reason to.

 

[maflynn]

Well... jokes on them when I am on MacRumors because I don't use toxic software

Not really, I doubt they know or care ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[AutomaticApple]

80%+ market share of PC that use Windows and Android do not have Safari as an option. Either way there is also FireFox and Brave.

People use Chrome out of habit and do not care to change. They see no reason to.

You wish they would switch to Safari, but we don't know if they actually would. Most people would likely stick with what they're already familiar with.

Well... jokes on them when I am on MacRumors because I don't use toxic software

What is toxic software? Does that make you special? Im confused... 🤔

 

[maflynn]

80%+ market share of PC that use Windows and Android do not have Safari as an option.

Even when it was available, people didn't use Safari on windows. It wasn't really that good

People use Chrome out of habit and do not care to change. They see no reason to.

Exactly, consumers by and large really don't care and see no reason to change.

 

[I7guy]

[...]
Exactly, consumers by and large really don't care and see no reason to change.

Yup. And why Facebook has hundreds of millions of subscribers/customers/users.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Even when it was available, people didn't use Safari on windows. It wasn't really that good

Have things changed since then?

Exactly, consumers by and large really don't care and see no reason to change.

Yeah, let consumers use what they want.

Yup. And why Facebook has hundreds of millions of subscribers/customers/users.

They have billions of users. They won't (and simply cannot) go away anytime soon.

 

[ruka.snow]

Even when it was available, people didn't use Safari on windows. It wasn't really that good

I remember many folks hated that it looked like a Mac app. Windows users want their apps to fit in with their OS just as much as Mac users.