Which sites are Facebook and Google tracking you on? It could be any.
Each time you visit a site that implements either Facebook’s or Google’s widgets (Like button, AdSense) or traffic monitoring (Analytics), you are exposing your browsing history. It’s like a credit card company knowing your shopping habits by tracking your purchases. Unlike with credit cards, you can do something about it.
One small step to reclaim your privacy is by disabling 3rd party cookies in your browser. Doing this prevents your browser from sending your information to a site other than the one you’re visiting. Here’s how you do it.
Google Chrome
- Select Chrome > Preferences on the menu bar.
- Click the Under the Hood tab.
- Click Content settings in the “Privacy” section.
- Check Block all third-party cookies without exception
Firefox
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Disabling+third+party+cookies
Safari or Opera
You’re in luck, 3rd party cookies are disabled by default.
Internet Explorer
- IE6 and IE7: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/block-third-party-cookies-in-ie7/
- IE8: http://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/disable-first-and-third-party-cookies-in-ie8/
By disabling 3rd party cookies, you’re taking back some control over your privacy.
Thanks for posting this! I’ve been aware of these changes, especially how they affect digital marketers in terms of retrieving user data and using Facebook’s Insights tool for example.
But the more I learn about them from a marketing standpoint, the more control I personally want over my data and privacy as an individual user.
So while I’ve read a lot about FB connect and all the other new features, and I’ve read a lot of articles complaining about them, I haven’t read much practical advice on how to opt out. Thanks again, I’ll definitely update my browser settings!