Has Google Secretly Been Tracking Your iPhone Browsing Habits?
- Posted on February 17, 2012 at 2:03pm by
Liz Klimas
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Just as we’re coming off news that several iPhone apps download contacts without permission — an action Apple has said is against its policy and will be fixing soon — the Wall Street Journal reports that Google and others have been ignoring privacy settings in tracking the online browsing habits of iPhone and Safari users.
Google has said that WSJ “mischaracterized” this tracking. WSJ reports that since being contacted by them Google disabled this code.
WSJ has more on the code and how it was discovered:
The Google code was spotted by Stanford researcher Jonathan Mayer and independently confirmed by a technical adviser to the Journal, Ashkan Soltani, who found that ads on 22 of the top 100 websites installed the Google tracking code on a test computer, and ads on 23 sites installed it on an iPhone browser.
In Google’s case, the findings appeared to contradict some of Google’s own instructions to Safari users on how to avoid tracking. Until recently, one Google site told Safari users they could rely on Safari’s privacy settings to prevent tracking by Google. Google removed that language from the site Tuesday night.
WSJ reports that three online-ad companies — Vibrant Media Inc., WPP PLC’s Media Innovation Group LLC and Gannett Co.’s PointRoll Inc. — were doing essentially the same thing.
According to WSJ, an Apple representative said it is working to stop this activity while Google said the following:
“The Journal mischaracterizes what happened and why. We used known Safari functionality to provide features that signed-in Google users had enabled. It’s important to stress that these advertising cookies do not collect personal information.”
WSJ explains that Google’s tracking on Safari, a browser that blocks this action in most cases, capitalized on a loophole that allowed the company to install a cookie when the user visited a website that required filling out a form:
So Google added coding to some of its ads that made Safari think that a person was submitting an invisible form to Google. Safari would then let Google install a cookie on the phone or computer.
(Image: WSJ)
Although this technique may seem like news to us, WSJ reports some Web programmers have considered it an “open secret” for some time. Anant Garg, a Web developer from India, used this technique on Safari himself, not considering privacy settings according to WSJ, in order to “ensure a consistent experience” among different Web browsers. Even Facebook recommends such a technique to “deliver a consistent user experience.”
The Center for Democracy and Technology has said these actions are “unacceptable”.
“We are severely disappointed that Google and others choose to place tracking cookies on Safari browsers using invisible form submission,” said Justin Brookman, CDT’s Director of Consumer Privacy, in a statement. “While we take Google’s assertion at face value that it was not their intent to track users in this way, we are perplexed how this decision evaded Google’s internal design and review process. After a several recent missteps–and two new reboots on privacy-by-design–this should never have happened.”
WSJ found that 22 of the top 100 websites ranked by Quantcast were being tracked using this method by Google. Find that complete list here.
[H/T Gizmodo]
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laurabreganze
Posted on March 20, 2012 at 8:13amdoes google spying for someone?
but if this spying is ethical it should be allowed. I found http://www.iphonespysoft.com which offer spying to save yourselves from big mess.
Report Post »wntsmallgov
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 1:48amnot mine, DHS maybe tracking it because I believe in the Constitution but Google- nope. I only use my cell for phone calls. All the extras I do not access it. The home computer I access the local papers, this site and some news sites. I never answer any poll questions nor do I take surveys.
Report Post »CulperGang
Posted on February 19, 2012 at 7:28pmCorporations track consumers. Partners with government in controlling masses. Governments now use law enforcement agencies against ALL people not just “criminals.” Corporations put politicians back in power. This is what“ hath technology wrought” in the hands of evil men.
Report Post »PS. This is all done through you with you paying for it. YOU collectively can stop it. Only you.
DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
Posted on February 19, 2012 at 9:16pmMeanwhile “theblaze.com” tracks the cr*p out of you. Actually worse than many sites. If you want to see how much you can go to the link below to get a browser plug-in/extension that blocks tracking. I get nothing out of it other than the satisfaction of messing with Beck’s hypocritical tracking.
http://www.abine.com/dntdetail.php
Report Post »RayOne
Posted on February 19, 2012 at 5:13pmThey will not use it against you unless they ‘Need to.’
Report Post »swimmer1940
Posted on February 19, 2012 at 9:24amGoogle has definitely been hacking into the anti-Obama email messages some of our private groups have been exchanging. The joshing is innocent, and usually jokes about the big patoot. They have even had the nerve to contact all of us personally and “correct” our errors, according to their political view. My account is with Yahoo. How did Google get into it????
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on February 18, 2012 at 5:22pmI don’t own an Icrap…google sucks.
Report Post »universalphilos
Posted on February 18, 2012 at 12:50pmAnyone tried http://www.ghostery.com? It tells me how many different website are tracking each click I make when I change to another webpage. I find I’m most watched reading theblaze.com (usually 15 or more interested parties are lurking in the background, previously unknown to me.) Ghostery.com allows one to block whomever is watching, it says. Or to choose who you allow, once you know they’re watching you to see what pages you go to.
Also, every time an update to Adobe Flashplayer is downloaded it comes preset so that it turns on your computers microphone and camera. Don’t know if anyone watches me. Maybe that’s why Glenn makes jokes about teens in the basement in their underwear blogging rude comments. Whoever is on the other end may be watching you, or listening to your conversations going on in your room within hearing distance. Fortunately, if someone wants to watch me, there‘s nothing to see in front of my computer’s camera. Just me. Hi, ya’ll!
Report Post »(Oh, you can change that Adobe Flashplayer setting to ask your permission each time you watch a video to ask your permission, or to never allow your camera and mike to be turned on (for an unknown remote viewer.)
Just a footnote: the Apple technician told me that if I allow permission during a troubleshooting session for them to see my desktop and guide me through problem solving, they can also see everything on my desktop. The techs get embarrassed by people’s illegal desktop backgrounds. And ask callers to put on clothe
DividedWeFail
Posted on February 18, 2012 at 2:18pmWhen I click on that link, anything I have opened on the web – CLOSES
Report Post »DividedWeFail
Posted on February 18, 2012 at 2:22pmOops! I was copying the Question Mark on the end of the website link. That shut down my Blaze site and the Wiki site I had open though.
It opened when I copy/paste without the question mark. I am reviewing it now. Interesting. Thanks
Report Post »watashbuddyfriend
Posted on February 18, 2012 at 8:38amWell, @db321, and @ jado1981, I use Firefox, but they let Google track every site I visit. It is like my shadow following me around. I tried Gibru, but that was a problem.
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 7:25pmNobody should trust companies like Google, especially when Zuckerburg is up Obama’s arse.
Report Post »ddg7
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 6:43pmIt’s a package deal. First they track your internet usage and now your iphone. The ‘BEAST’ is alive and well.
Report Post »JEANNIEMAC
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 6:16pmThere is an old movie, “Colossus, the Forbin Project”. In the movie, a computer,develops its own intelligence and forces all humans to live they way it dictates . Between Google and Facebook, combined with Youtube, everything is known abut us. If these entities combine with the power of “Watson”, which was seen on Jeopardy, I would be very anxious to know who was in control.
Report Post »We all know about the Bilderbergers, the Council on Foreign Relations, etc. etc.
Let us keep our eyes open, and our powder dry.
LOJ
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 5:43pmYep they have anything goes anymore!
Report Post »db321
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 6:42pmI will invest $10,000 for the first Search Engine start up company up that is not in bed with Obama. I already use Firefox as my browser because I don’t trust Bill Gates. This is the time to let Free Enterprise in America show it wings.
Report Post »jado1981
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 10:24pmThere is no need to invest anything, just use firefox or opera with ghostery and shut down the cookies and crap popups that are automatically running via instruction from the webpage, on this page, I have 14 that have been blocked.
Report Post »Change your start page to startpage.com or ixquick.com neither of those sites have any tracking that is done or used. Don’t trust google or microsoft or any of the big guys. Don’t use safari or chrome on your iphone or android, use opera or firefox.
2theADDLED
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 5:12pmAnd you really have to ask that question ?
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 4:18pmHas Google Secretly Been Tracking Your iPhone Browsing Habits?
No, don’t have one. I won’t ever have one. (And this kind of crap is exactly why…)
Thanks again Apple….
Report Post »Watchingtheweasels
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 5:30pmI really like the capabilities that cell phones and tablets offer, but after test driving an iPhone, a few android phones, an iPad, and an android tablet I’ve stepped away from that technology and gone back to using my netbook and a regular phone. The compromise in privacy with these newer devices is ridiculous and there’s no easy way for an end user to lock them down.
One simple solution at home using desktops and laptops is to set your wireless router to block websites, including google, doubleclick, and so on.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 3:18pmAny connection between Google and the CFR?
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/21/cfr_and_google_team_up_to_battle_violent_extremism
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 3:43pmWhy doesn’t Google just be honest, and change their name to “Skynet”…..which is what they are turning into anyhow.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 3:49pmCome on GB… I can’t keep doing your job for you. Who is holding a gun to your head anyway? The truth shall set you free, my brother!
Report Post »wntsmallgov
Posted on February 20, 2012 at 1:50amTx, now that is funny. Of course they are becoming sky net and the military is testing robot platforms,
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 3:07pmHow do i get rid the popup ad that ALWAYS comes up when i log into BLAZE? They are a guilty as any google. And if you just mouse over some ads by mistake they come up. Ad you can’t shut off the noise.
Between the above and having comments 86th I am getting fed up with this site. Too much PC for me.
A message for Beck: You know your in trouble when you start believing your own PR.
NoBama 2012
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 3:24pmWhy can’t groups like anonymous take down google? Google is evil. Time to go to war against google, I wonder what kind of ads I will get popping up now? Maybe a visit from the FBI who will try and convince me to do something rash, then arrest me….
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 4:19pmKaspersky. Google it!
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 11:38pmI agree one session on the blaze and I got 38 new cookies.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 2:54pmThe blaze tracks your posting habits and still feels that you need to be subjected to hatred they find as a result of their own Google searches.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 2:20pmI know this is off topic, but time is short for you to understand. Do you want to understand the Bible or not?
Report Post »You should be told that dressing “moderately” means to dress moderately “In spirit”, and it means to come up to the next level with your spirit exposed. It has nothing to do with clothes, although clothes has it’s health benefactors. And for a “Man” to keep his women “Covered” is what I’m doing by telling you these things, in that I’m keeping you covered. And as in the Bible for me to gird another‘s loins ’Like a giant spirit” would be as if I‘m under the spirit girding the spirit’s loins, like girders on a building.
Itsjusttim
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 2:22pmCase in point when Elijah was sitting on a Rock on a hill. It was that the spirit of Elijah was sitting on a prophet on the hill. The Prophet was girding Elijah’s loins. Get it?
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 2:25pmGod said: Elijah gird your loins and go meet them going to see Baal. So Elijah girded his loins with Elisha. Get it?
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 2:30pmAnd that‘s why Elisha was Elijah’s “Prophet in the room”, and likewise, Moses girded his loins with Aaron. See? Because God said Aaron would be Moses’ prophet in the room.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 2:32pmSo I’m just saying trust me when I say this. You want to stop going to speak with Baal.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 2:14pmAnswer: Google is evil and creepy (by admission of their own Corporate highest-ups), so yeah. Probably.
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