“Do Not Track” is a nice feature for those concerned about 3rd-party web tracking – but it’s not yet enforced

According to DoNotTrack.Us “Do Not Track is a technology and policy proposal that enables users to opt out of tracking by websites they do not visit, including analytics services, advertising networks, and social platforms.”

For example, the social network website Twitter recently announced that they support and adhere to the Do Not Track setting by your web browser. Some websites that you visit may feature a Twitter button, widget, and other embedded features that makes interacting with the website more of a social experience. If you select the Do Not Track option in your web browser, if are a current or future Twitter member, they will no longer suggest other Twitter users that you may wish to follow based on your web browsing habits.

DoNotTrack.Us continues “At present few of these third parties offer a reliable tracking opt out, and tools for blocking them are neither user-friendly nor comprehensive. Much like the popular Do Not Call registry, Do Not Track provides users with a single, simple, persistent choice to opt out of third-party web tracking.”

“Do Not Track signals a user’s opt-out preference with an HTTP header, a simple technology that is completely compatible with the existing web. Several large third parties have already committed to honor Do Not Track, but many more have been recalcitrant. We believe regulation is necessary to verify and enforce compliance with a user’s choice to opt out of tracking.”

AVG Anti-Virus installed a Do Not Track add-on in a recent update. However, I recommend that it be disabled since it slows web browser speed, can cause some web pages to not display as expected, and websites are not required to adhere to your preferences. Here’s how to disable or configure AVG Do Not Track.

Personally, having my web browsing habits tracked by certain 3rd-party sites or social networks doesn’t bother me if it enhances my overall browsing experience. The fact that there is no regulation to enforce Do Not Track makes changing the setting in my browser or enabling and add-on seem pointless to me at this time.