Google gets its way, bakes a user-tracking ad platform directly into Chrome::Chrome now directly tracks users, generates a “topic” list it shares with advertisers.

  • @7u5k3n@lemmy.world
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    1011 year ago

    Well that explains why I’m seeing full page popups saying I need to disable my adblocker on certain sites…

    Okay… I’ve resisted long enough. I’ll make the switch to Firefox tonight

    • RedEye FlightControl
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      281 year ago

      I switched a while back for the same reason, in a completely different scenario. Google is playing themselves.

      • @antizero99@lemmynsfw.com
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        41 year ago

        I only use chrome for a couple of extensions that aren’t available for firefox. I should probably reach out to those companies and request that they get a firefox extension working.

          • @antizero99@lemmynsfw.com
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            11 year ago

            That’s good to know. I’m surprised that the 2 I currently have to use chrome for aren’t already on FF. As I said, I should probably send them an email and ask them to launch one for FF.

        • lemmyvore
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          11 year ago

          Out of curiosity, what kind of addon would just work in Chrome (not have an alternative in Firefox)?

          • @antizero99@lemmynsfw.com
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            1 year ago

            It’s not an addon, it’s extensions for services like klarna and zip that let you pay for things over time. Those 2 for example have apps that I can and do use but if I want to use them to pay for say concert tickets it’s easier to have it all on my big screen so I can look at whats available and then copy and paste the number into the checkout.

            It’s not life or death and I can live without it. It is however the only reason I use chrome on my desktop these days.

    • lemmyvore
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      41 year ago

      uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger should be the first addons you install.

      Also consider the Multi-Account Containers addon. It loads certain domains in their own tabs and isolates them from others.

      This is just the basics, there’s a deep rabbit hole for privacy of you’re interested and lots of interesting extensions for maximum control (cookie auto-deleters, Matrix, JavaScript disablers, anti-fingerprinting, scrubbers etc.) Firefox itself comes with a lot of privacy-related stuff built-in nowadays.

      • @pdxfed@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Jumped a month ago or so after reading about their “product enhancements” and not being able to install an extension to download a YouTube clip I needed for a work project. Water is excellent, also removing them out of my search as much as possible.

        Recommend Degoogle Yourself community for weeding them out wherever you’re comfortable. I still have them for photos and maps is better than anything comparable but have given them that much less data to sell. !degoogle@lemmy.ml

  • Ellie
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    211 year ago

    oof, that’s just sad. i hope people switch, firefox is actually not that bad these days

    • 6xpipe_
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      71 year ago

      Firefox has been very good (better than Chrome) for several years. Ever since they released Quantum.

  • TomMasz
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    121 year ago

    Will this solely be a Chrome “feature” or will it get into Chromium and eventually Edge?

    • Excel
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      61 year ago

      Vivaldi doesn’t (and won’t) have it.

  • @Jessvj93@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    The article mentioned Apple implementing ad blocking which affected Google’s revenue, but I think the author forgot extensions. I had read that adblockers were eating into Google’s revenue at an alarming rate.

    So first adblocks were compromised (was it Adblock or Adblock Pro that had that whitelisting controversy?). When that didn’t work, they took advantage of quicklinking/tracking people through Google AMP links, which also allowed advantages to be given to Facebook ad bidding (Jedi Blue - a “mindtrick” these assholes named it) and getting access to Android and Chrome users information in exchange for not setting up a competing ad service plan/ecosystem. And now we’re here, with Google disabling extensions altogether and just straight up tracking you directly in Chrome.

    Adblocking really, really screwed them over. On one hand good, on the other fuck Google.

    • @greenskye@lemm.ee
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      181 year ago

      Part of the issue is that ads are an escalating infection. Anytime a platform tries to implement ‘sane’ advertising practices (small footprint, no annoying sounds or motion, etc) it inevitably creeps into more and more abusive interactions with users. Just look at how bad YouTube has gotten. Look at how far Google search has fallen. Ads are like crack. You can’t just do it a little bit. You get hooked and you keep escalating until you’ve ruined everything with it.