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I think the main reason Google decided not to support DNT is that Microsoft turned it on by default in IE. Microsoft did this knowing full well that Google wou

I think the main reason Google decided not to support DNT is that Microsoft turned it on by default in IE. Microsoft did this knowing full well that Google would be put between a rock and a hard place: either implement DNT and instantly start losing a ton of money or ignore DNT and look like the bad guy. Meanwhile Microsoft could sit on their high horse since it wouldn't cost them any money. I suspect Google would have respected DNT if Microsoft had made it opt-in as it was intended.

dane-pgp 8y ago
Surely the correct counter-move for Google would have been to say "We will respect the DNT flag in all browsers except IE".
- proactivesvcs 8y ago
  Their eschewing of this obvious move paints a picture of their respect towards web users.
  - ehnto 8y ago
    End users are worse off than had the chosen "the obvious move" so I don't know about that.
- lotu 8y ago
  Maybe depends on how they though it would play out in the media. Unfortunately the whole opt-in vs. opt-out is too complicated to be explained in most reporting. Google might have worried that not respecting Do Not Track for IE could be interpreted as an Anti-Mircrosft move that would run afoul of monopoly law.
  - TeMPOraL 8y ago
    > Unfortunately the whole opt-in vs. opt-out is too complicated to be explained in most reporting. Is it really? Let me try: You're going down the street while eating some cookies, and suddenly you meet a friend. Opt-in: A friend sees your cookies, and asks, "Can I have one?" Opt-out: A friend starts taking and eating your cookies, and says, "Tell me if you want me to stop."
prepend 8y ago
Google didn’t respect user wishes before the flag. DNT by default is the correct behavior because it is desired by most users. When you’re designing software and you have options for a white background or black background and 75% of your users prefer black then that should be the default, everything else remaining equal. Tracking is definitely an “opt in” behavior, not “opt out.” This is just Google being dishonest. Although pretty minimal since they track and always say this dumb stuff how people want “personalized ads.” They know it’s not true, but it’s sort of a white lie and we get awesome, usually, functionality.
- it_can_be_done 8y ago
  You are right and it would be stupid not to lie to people about DNT and tracking because invading user privacy is their business model.
it_can_be_done 8y ago
Main reason why Google decided not to support DNT is because user data is valuable to them. They don't want to respect your privacy because invading user privacy is their business model. Microsoft tracks people too via analytics and you can read about it on their site so you can't say it wouldn't cost Microsoft any money. Only advertising companies would say that DNT opt-in is intended.

dane-pgp 8y ago

Surely the correct counter-move for Google would have been to say "We will respect the DNT flag in all browsers except IE".

proactivesvcs 8y ago
Their eschewing of this obvious move paints a picture of their respect towards web users.
- ehnto 8y ago
  End users are worse off than had the chosen "the obvious move" so I don't know about that.
lotu 8y ago
Maybe depends on how they though it would play out in the media. Unfortunately the whole opt-in vs. opt-out is too complicated to be explained in most reporting. Google might have worried that not respecting Do Not Track for IE could be interpreted as an Anti-Mircrosft move that would run afoul of monopoly law.
- TeMPOraL 8y ago
  > Unfortunately the whole opt-in vs. opt-out is too complicated to be explained in most reporting. Is it really? Let me try: You're going down the street while eating some cookies, and suddenly you meet a friend. Opt-in: A friend sees your cookies, and asks, "Can I have one?" Opt-out: A friend starts taking and eating your cookies, and says, "Tell me if you want me to stop."

prepend 8y ago

Google didn’t respect user wishes before the flag. DNT by default is the correct behavior because it is desired by most users. When you’re designing software and you have options for a white background or black background and 75% of your users prefer black then that should be the default, everything else remaining equal. Tracking is definitely an “opt in” behavior, not “opt out.” This is just Google being dishonest. Although pretty minimal since they track and always say this dumb stuff how people want “personalized ads.” They know it’s not true, but it’s sort of a white lie and we get awesome, usually, functionality.

it_can_be_done 8y ago
You are right and it would be stupid not to lie to people about DNT and tracking because invading user privacy is their business model.

it_can_be_done 8y ago

Main reason why Google decided not to support DNT is because user data is valuable to them. They don't want to respect your privacy because invading user privacy is their business model. Microsoft tracks people too via analytics and you can read about it on their site so you can't say it wouldn't cost Microsoft any money. Only advertising companies would say that DNT opt-in is intended.