Do-Not-Track is a feature that is gaining popularity among web browsers software, e.g., Opera, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and now Google Chrome, starting version 23. This feature is related to privacy and it allows people to decide whether they want to be tracked online by web servers.
If enabled, it’ll mean that you won’t be tracked anymore by, for example, advertisers, that is of course if the third-party entity complies with the request sent by the web browser.
The feature is also controversial, because of how it can be implemented, an example is when Microsoft decided to turn-on Do-Not-Track by default in IE10 in a move to help users, but the decision wasn’t very well welcomed by others. Many third-parties such as Yahoo!, just to name one, has made the decision to ignore the stop tracking request that comes from Internet Explorer.
Now, Google Chrome version 23 (23.0.1271.64 m) is getting into the wagon by including the Do-Not-Track feature in its web browser. But unlike Microsoft’s policy, Google is leaving the feature turned-off by default, and the option is a bit buried from the common users. So if you are a Chrome user, you can enable this feature with the steps below.
Instructions
To enable Do-Not-Track in Chrome do the following:
1. While in Google Chrome and updated to version 23 (stable), type in the address bar:
2. Scroll down and click the Show advanced settings… link
3. Under Privacy, check the last option “Send a ‘Do Not Track’ request with your browsing traffic”
And that’s all there is to it.
More to Chrome 23 stable
It is also worth mentioning that Google Chrome 23 stable version, also included some nifty improvements such as an updated and enabled by default GPU-accelerated video decoding for Windows. This means that if you are using Chrome to watch videos, you’ll notice an increase of battery life per charge, up to 25%.
Also there is an improved way to view and control website’s permissions (geolocationl, camera and mic and pop-ups). To get access to these new settings, simply click on the page or lock icon on the left of the URL in the address bar, and information and permissions will be revealed, without it you’ll have to go through the settings.
Updates are automatic in Chrome, but to check if you are running the latest version, simple click the tool’s menu icon in the top-right corner of the screen and select About Google Chrome.
Are you using Do-Not-Track in your web browser?
Source Chrome Blog
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].