Browsers Enhancing Privacy Controls; Other New Features Pose Privacy Risks
CDT's latest report on browser privacy controls is a classic "good news, bad news" tale. The good news: across the board browser makers are enhancing privacy controls. The bad news: other features introduced by those same browser makers are creating new privacy challenges, such as allowing new ways for consumers to be tracked.
The CDT report—an update to our 2009 browser report—notes that there is no clear "winner" when it comes to judging which browser best protects your privacy. Each browser has particular strengths (and subsequent weaknesses).
Also, despite the enhanced privacy controls, consumers are still at risk from some of the newer tracking technologies, including "object controls" and location services. Also, consumers may find the number of controls they are given are now just too confusing and opt for the default settings, which are typically set at the weakest levels.
The report also touches on another hot topic, the "Do Not Track" list. Microsoft and Mozilla have both recently announced initiatives to incorporate global tracking controls into their browsers. However, since behavioral web targeting is just one aspect of the privacy issue, such a solution is no substitute for a federal baseline consumer privacy law.
