The privacy nightmare of browser fingerprinting
6 hours ago
- #browser-fingerprinting
- #privacy
- #online-tracking
- Browser fingerprinting is a significant privacy threat that doesn't rely on cookies and is resistant to measures like VPNs.
- Fingerprinting works by collecting discrete information from your browser (e.g., version, OS, timezone, installed fonts, extensions, and canvas fingerprint) to create a unique identifier.
- Crude methods to defeat fingerprinting, like disabling JavaScript, are ineffective and can make users more identifiable.
- Subtle methods to spoof browser behavior can leave traces or break website functionality.
- Browser developers are integrating more robust countermeasures, with Brave, Mullvad, and Librewolf leading in fingerprint resistance.
- To reduce fingerprinting risk, use a VPN, avoid unique configurations, and use popular browsers and OS in their default settings.
- Fingerprinting resistance can lead to inconveniences like fixed window sizes, more CAPTCHAs, and broken website elements.
- The legality of browser fingerprinting is unclear, with potential violations of GDPR principles, but no specific legislation currently addresses it.
- Fingerprinting provides statistical rather than exact tracking, with data having a short lifespan (days to weeks).
- Legislation is likely needed to control fingerprinting, but advertisers will continue to find new tracking methods.