Firefox is testing out a significant privacy upgrade

Date:
Fri, 29 Oct 2021 15:02:35 +0000

Description:
Firefox becomes the latest browser to build in the GPC signal.

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Firefox is set to join the growing number of web browsers that are adding a do not sell my personal data signal referred to as global privacy control (GPC).

GPC is implemented as a browser setting that sends a signal to notify
websites of the visitors privacy preferences, including whether they want their personal information to be sold or shared.

At this moment, GPC is a prerelease feature available for experimental use in Firefox Nightly. Once turned on, it sends a signal to the websites users
visit telling them that the user doesnt want to be tracked and doesnt want their data to be sold, explained Mozilla . TechRadar needs you!

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GPC is getting traction both in California and in Colorado, according to Mozilla, with California insisting that companies are obligated to honor the signal under the states consumer privacy law. GDPR Part Deux

GPC is a collaborative effort by privacy-focused organizations and advocates, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation ( EFF ) and Consumer Reports.

It is often touted as a successor to the Do Not Track signal, which couldnt get enough momentum behind it to force companies to honour it. GPC, however, has already found takers with US states such as California mandating adherence.

Mozillas CTO Eric Rescorla told the Washington Post that Firefox didnt adopt the signal right away, to see what sort of impact it would have, to avoid making privacy promises that dont hold water.

GPC is already available in several other web browsers such as Brave , and privacy-centric browser add-ons including Disconnect and DuckDuckGo .
However, Google Chrome , which has the largest market share, is conspicuous
by its absence from the list of GPC wielding browsers.

If you want to keep your online activities to yourself, browse the internet through a proxy service or better still via a VPN service .



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/firefox-is-testing-out-a-significant-privacy-up grade/


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