Do Not Track: A Privacy Setting that Falls Short

In today’s digital world, online privacy remains a critical issue, and many users turn to features like “Do Not Track” (DNT) to protect themselves. However, while DNT settings imply that users’ data shouldn’t be tracked by websites, the feature has largely become ineffective.

What is “ Do Not Track”?

Do Not Track” (DNT) is a browser feature meant to protect your online privacy. When you turn it on, your browser sends a signal, or request, to websites you visit, asking them not to track your online activities. Tracking refers to the collection of data about you, like which websites you visit, how long you stay on them, and what you click. This data is often used for targeted advertising and to build profiles of your interests.

However, DNT is not a rule, just a request. Websites and advertisers can choose whether to honor it, and most ignore it because there are no laws requiring them to comply. In other words, turning on “Do Not Track” usually doesn’t stop websites from tracking you because it’s up to them whether to respect the setting.

How to Stop Website from Tracking Your Online Activities?

Use Privacy Focused Browsers

Browsers like Brave, Mozilla Firefox, and DuckDuckGo prioritize user privacy and often come with built-in protections against tracking.

These browsers can block trackers and third-party cookies, which websites often use to follow your online activity across different sites.

Enable Browser Privacy Settings

Most browsers have settings to block third-party cookies, which are cookies set by sites other than the one you’re visiting. Blocking third-party cookies can reduce tracking.

You can also clear your cookies regularly, so sites have a harder time tracking you over time.

Install Privacy-Focused Browser Extension

Extensions like uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, and Ghostery are popular tools that block trackers. They prevent websites from collecting data about your activity across the web.

These extensions are customizable and offer different levels of protection, allowing you to choose what gets blocked.

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address, which is often used to track your location and browsing habits.

By masking your IP address, a VPN makes it more difficult for websites and advertisers to associate your activity with your personal data.

Use Incognito or Private Browsing Mode

In private browsing modes, your browser won’t save cookies, site data, or browsing history after you close the session, which limits tracking to that session alone.

However, private browsing doesn’t hide your IP address, so it’s best combined with other privacy tools like VPNs or tracker-blocking extensions.

Regularly Clear your cookies and Cache

Clearing cookies and cache regularly removes the stored data websites use to recognize and track you when you return. You can do this manually or set your browser to delete cookies on exit.

By combining several of these techniques, you can reduce the amount of tracking websites can perform, giving you more control over your online privacy.