Track The Trackers

Opting Out

This option isn't necessarily comforting. You will have no proof your information is not still being collected and sold. To make matters worse, most online trackers do not offer an opt-out. By opting-out of the big tracking networks, some sources suggest you increase the value of your data being held by less ethical trackers because your data becomes more rare. Regardless, opting out should always be an option, so here are a few opt-out websites to get you started.

 

A word of warning: Be cautious when opting out and remain skeptical. If a company wants extremely personal information, such as credit card numbers, entire social security numbers, or other information you are not comfortable giving out, DON'T DO IT.

 

Pain-free opt-outs

• Network Advertising Initiative (largest of the opt-outs, and includes AddThis, BlueKai, Google & DoubleClick): http://www.networkadvertising.org/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=ads&view

• Rapleaf: http://www.rapleaf.com/opt-out/

 

You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?

Don't forget the industry is sneaky: They need a way to know you have opted out. How do they do that? A cookie. The same cookies they have tracked you with in the past get an extra line added in them saying not to track you. But how can you be sure they've stopped? You can't. And guess what happens if you delete your cookies? You are automatically opted-in all over again. Fun right?

 

"Opting out of the personal data marketplace is a trust exercise." -Julia Angwin, Dragnet Nation

 

This hostile and sneaky environment will always be a losing battle. So help us take the fight to all the way to the President: