Google is gradually introducing a new method for delivering targeted ads in Chrome that aims to bypass the controversy surrounding cookies by using browsing history instead. This…
Ok. Imma get lambasted for this, but here goes.
I have no problem seeing ads. I respect that if I’m getting a commercial product or service for ‘free’, then I’m paying another way.
If I have to see ads, why not see ads that might be relevant to my interests? I mean, I’d rather see an ad for a video game than a bank.
I don’t see what all the FUD is about. What the fuck are y’all surfing that you’re so protective of?
Targeted advertisements can be harmful, by directing (for example) gambling ads at people who show to be prone to addiction through the websites they visit.
Ads are fine, in some way, but I do not want random companies I’ve never heard of to know all of my details. Details which may become hacked.
Just because “I’ve got nothing to hide” doesn’t mean I should be happy when everyone knows all about me.
For this feature though they’ve tried to select the topics to be ones that “[do] not include sensitive categories (i.e. race, sexual orientation, religion, etc.)”. The list is also public and gambling is not on it:
https://github.com/patcg-individual-drafts/topics/blob/main/taxonomy_v2.md
While this won’t satisfy those who want no individualized ads or no ads at all, it would be an improvement over what we have now and put control over what topics are used (or even if it’s enabled at all) in the local browser instead of some server online.
The machanical extraction of highly personal data (did you have sex last night?) to build faux diary entries on people (this person lives alone) so others can easly pair their tailored attacks on the psyche to those who are vunrable. Were all vulnerable, just in diffrent places. Just gotta figure yours out.
I wish these systems were built to help match people with helpful products, but the non concent bugs me intensely.
I’d be concerned about the fact that you could live in a country where a law change could occur where suddenly the govt tells Google to keyword search people’s internet history on certain topics so they can start investigating and potentially prosecuting people.
You might not have anything to hide now but what you do that’s legal now might become illegal later, the US is a perfect example of that with all kinds of backwards BS happening there, abortion being a big example.
Isn’t this client-side solution for analyzing the history and coming up with ad topics for sites better in your scenario than the server-side solutions currently in use though? A government would have a much harder time trying to get access to the data when it’s on each individual’s device, rather than a profile created through an online ad service.
the good old I have nothing to hide
deleted by creator
Vivaldi is going to block this. It is a thing being built into the engine and they are going to be blocking it in their browser.
I know people say Vivaldi is slow but they’ve done some refactoring recently. Gave it a whirl and it’s as fast as Edge now on my old crappy laptop.
This is evil
deleted by creator
Chekhov’s Browser
Honestly, yes you guys should move to Firefox. I pretty much stayed on Chrome until chromium Edge was a thing. I tried that and ended up using that until they bloated it to hell and back, so I am back to using Firefox. Honestly just use anything but Chrome.
I’ll just continue to use Ungoogled Chromium and Librewolf
Here’s how to turn that off:
- Uninstall Google Chrome
- Install Firefox, Ungoogled Chromium, or, heck, Vivaldi
- Stop trusting Google
There we go, problem solved.
Remember when websites were tracking us across websites like the Facebook pixel.
Now Google just like we ain’t need that.
Best solution: Stop using Chrome.
It’s not the fastest nor the most feature rich anymore, not even the simplest.
Weren’t they already doing that?
Chrome didn’t have the option to delete your browsing history every time you shut your browser, presumably for that exact reason.
here’s how to turn that off
… use Firefox? How are we still talking about chrome here?
Edit: yes I know many still use Chrome. That’s exactly the problem. Google does shady shit, people shrug it off because insert whatever reason. Google likes that and plans the next shady shit. Rinse, repeat.
It’s one of the major things people here on Lemmy like to talk about, I mean take a look at this comment section. Nothing but “use Firefox”, “Google bad”. While somewhat true, it’s incredibly lame and monotonous.
Many still use chrome
The popular choice isn’t always the best one.
they still do so
There are some people who may be forced to use Chrome, like for work or something. 8ts still useful information even if you believe people should not use Chrome willingly.
lmao
Does this only affect Chrome or other Chromium-based browsers (i.e. Edge) as well?
don’t think so, doesn’t look like a part of the engine
It sounds like Google could have done a much better job announcing and explaining how the new system works. This is a definite improvement in privacy over the “cookie” standard in advertising. I don’t know if turning this off just keeps you locked-in to using cookies, but it doesn’t turn off identification like a lot of you seem to imply.
To those of you out there not using an adblocker: this new system eliminates the use of advertiser-based cookies. All your identification is based on a minimal number of categories based on your browsing history. It doesn’t send your actual history to an advertiser, just some (5, I think?) topics that have held your interest within the last few weeks. I’m sure there’s a list of these keywords sent to the ad-server so it can decide what to send. I don’t really care what they are, because I’m in the next group.
To those of you out there using Firefox and/or an adblocker: carry on, nothing to see here. Keep promoting your favorite non-Chrome based browser and adblocker.
I don’t mind this at all, but it’s funny that I barely if ever get ads that would make me want to buy something. I don’t even use an adblocker on my android phone and i use chrome on me laptop
This how dystopia is created. There is always some percentage of humans who fails to see future complications and ok with everything capitalism does.
:shrug:
easy, use firefox and fuck google
