Google accused of bypassing Apple browser settings to track users
Baku, February 4 (AZERTAC). Google and three online ad companies on Friday were accused of bypassing the privacy settings in Apple`s Safari web browser to track users` web-browsing habits on their desktops and iPhones.
The tracking code was confirmed by a technical adviser to The Wall Street Journal. Among the top 100 websites, ads on 22 sites were found on a test computer with tracking codes installed by Google and ads on 23 sites were installed codes on an iPhone.
According to the research, Google and other companies exploited a loophole in the privacy settings of Apple`s Safari browser, which blocks most tracking by default, but makes an exception if a user interacts with the site, such as filling out a form.
Google disabled the code after being contacted by The Wall Street Journal, said the newspaper. The search giant also removed some instructions to Safari users from one of its sites, in which it said users could rely on Safari privacy settings to prevent tracking by Google.
The Consumer Watchdog group on Friday asked the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate whether Google violates a previous privacy agreement with the FTC by installing tracking cookies that circumvent privacy settings in the Safari browser.
Late last month, Google announced to rewrite its privacy policy, consolidating user information across its services. The move immediately stirred up worries and blames as Google is not offering users an opt-out option.
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