Exactly. They could have the same functionality and privacy characteristics if they simply kept a cookie that incremented each time the site was visited. The fa

Exactly. They could have the same functionality and privacy characteristics if they simply kept a cookie that incremented each time the site was visited. The fact that they didn't go this route suggests this is more about finding a way to track unique visitors when cookies are disabled. They are deliberately subverting the user's desire to not be tracked and spinning it as a privacy win.