249
submitted 1 year ago by 1984@lemmy.today to c/technology@lemmy.ml

Topics essentially works like this: rather than using cookies to track people around the web and figure out their interests from the sites they visit and the apps they use, websites can ask Chrome directly, via its Topics JavaScript API, what sort of things the user is interested in, and then display ads based on that. Chrome picks these topics of interest from studying the user's browser history.

Isn't this completely immoral? They are literally stealing the users private browsing history and uses it to boost their own profits.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Klame@lemmy.ml 18 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The technique they use does not really change to the issue.

It's also not necessarily more secure than third party cookies like you claim? You can refuse those cookies and not all website use them, while all website ends up in browsing history.

[-] ShrimpsIsBugs@feddit.de 7 points 1 year ago

I might be wrong but as far as I understand Google's topics API only gives websites access to information like "here is a user who likes the topics IT and gardening", which is a LOT less than what is possible with cookies. With cookies a website can get information like "here is a user who visited your website yesterday and two times last week. Also they recently visited websites A, B and C, and frequently visits website D. On website D they are logged in as X." They make all your visits to a website and, with third-party cookies, also to other websites connectable. Google's topics do not.

[-] skullgiver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nl 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

[This comment has been deleted by an automated system]

[-] cupcakezealot@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 year ago

But the website doesn't end up with your browsing history...

And you can opt out of this just like you can opt out of third party cookies.

[-] ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I would like to watch you opt out of all this every single time you sit down in the next class of your education institute or workplace.

[-] uneronumo@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Yes, they merely created the technology that watches everything you do. You can opt out! No worries! This certainly isn’t anything to worry about! They will definitely continue to let you opt out indefinitely. History tells me that that’s how this works.

[-] cupcakezealot@lemmy.blahaj.zone 0 points 1 year ago

That's so silly; you can manage all of your data and opt out on your Google account from the start.

this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2023
249 points (95.9% liked)

Technology

34382 readers
340 users here now

This is the official technology community of Lemmy.ml for all news related to creation and use of technology, and to facilitate civil, meaningful discussion around it.


Ask in DM before posting product reviews or ads. All such posts otherwise are subject to removal.


Rules:

1: All Lemmy rules apply

2: Do not post low effort posts

3: NEVER post naziped*gore stuff

4: Always post article URLs or their archived version URLs as sources, NOT screenshots. Help the blind users.

5: personal rants of Big Tech CEOs like Elon Musk are unwelcome (does not include posts about their companies affecting wide range of people)

6: no advertisement posts unless verified as legitimate and non-exploitative/non-consumerist

7: crypto related posts, unless essential, are disallowed

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS