Is too rarely respected: Firefox removes check mark for "Do Not Track"
For years, you have been able to set Firefox to not track your surfing behavior. Because this was mostly ignored, this option has been removed.
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Firefox is the first major browser to mothball the "Do Not Track" (DNT) privacy option because most websites ignore it and activating it can even reduce data protection. This is according to a browser help page that was updated a few days ago. As of Firefox version 135, it should no longer be possible to select the option; it has already disappeared in the first pre-release versions. Users who value the protection of their privacy are advised by those responsible at Firefox to instead tick the box "Instruct websites not to sell or share my data" – in the current version directly via DNT.
Less instead of more privacy
"Do Not Track" has been around for more than ten years, and since Firefox version 4 you can use it to tell websites that you do not wish to be tracked online. This option is also available in other browsers. Initially, several percent of users did this, but the rate has subsequently fallen. According to Firefox, "many websites" do not respect the request and it is not enforced. However, Firefox does not explain to what extent activating the option can reduce privacy, as stated on the help page.
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The sometimes contradictory handling of "Do Not Track" was illustrated by the Berlin Regional Court just a year ago. This court prohibited the social network LinkedIn from declaring that a request for non-tracking transmitted by the browser was not legally effective and would not be respected. At the same time, however, the court did not oblige the platform to actually comply with the DNT signal. The Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv), which initiated the proceedings, welcomed the ruling and praised it as a clear message. The desire not to be spied on while surfing should be respected. Because too many websites see it differently, Firefox is now taking action.
The alternative data protection option that Firefox is now promoting is being driven forward under the aegis of"Global Privacy Control". The industry alliance wants to spread a kind of reduced "Do Not Track" with specifications developed for this purpose. By ticking the appropriate box, you signal to websites that information about a visit may not be passed on or sold. The signal is respected by a growing number of websites and is also legally enforced in some legal areas. In some cases , it also represents an objection to targeted, personalized advertising. In German, the option in Firefox is called "Instruct websites not to sell or share my data".
(mho)
