Image: DNY59/Getty Images.
Have you ever copied a link to share it, only to realize when you pasted it that it was much longer than expected, full of tracking data in particular? If you don’t know what I’m talking about, here’s an example: The URL link you want to share is www.example.com/story.html. But, when you paste it, you realize that after this address, there is a ? followed by a bunch of characters, much like in the example below:
?utm_source=FBIF&utm_medium=paid-social&utm_campaign=FB+%26+IG+-+ASC+-+Monsters+Campaign&utm_content=FB+%26+IG+-+ASC+-+Monsters+Ad+set&fbclid=Iu9m9Oi4GBIO9+2112+BU2BU1jbw4KWYU103jrVOKwCwa8K9 4gO-lUlp5m4Ws
If you paste the entire link, it contains information that tracks you across multiple domains. And I guarantee you, no one wants it. Above all, no one needs it.
Tracking and fingerprinting
To protect the privacy of its users, Apple has unveiled a new feature that deletes this data allowing tracking and fingerprinting in Safari. It is available from macOS Sonoma.
So when you copy/paste a link from a site, message or email, you will no longer need to inspect the URL to remove this unwanted data. The URL link will work normally, but no one will be able to follow you as you browse.
THE fingerprinting is a technique of collecting a variety of information about you, such as the software, network protocols or operating systems you use, or even the devices on your network. This technique goes much further than “simple” tracking and can be used to establish a user profile.
Here’s how to browse in complete privacy with this feature.
How to enable the feature in Safari?
Your Mac must be running macOS Sonoma (or later) and Safari 17.0. If you are using an older version of macOS, upgrade to Sonoma to use this service.
1. Open Safari settings
To get started, open Safari, then go to Safari > Settings. You can also press the key combination cmd And , to open the settings more quickly.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET.
2. Enable Protection Setting
In the settings, click on the tab Advance. In the center of the window you will see Use advanced fingerprint tracking and theft protection. If the feature is not selected, click the box next to it to enable it. Once the feature is enabled, remember to select from the drop-down list in all navigations. You can then close the settings window.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET.
A partial solution
Now, when you copy/paste a URL, it only copies the relevant information and leaves out anything related to tracking your browsing.
The only downside is that it doesn’t work every time. According to my tests, tracking data remains intact on certain sites. Unfortunately, this is pretty normal: as soon as web browser makers find a way to better protect their users’ privacy, developers of other sites and applications find a way to circumvent their efforts.
However, being able to get rid of these trackers, even on only part of the sites visited, is a small victory. Unfortunately, this game of cat and mouse is not about to stop, and Internet users will have to continue to go to great lengths personally to protect their privacy. But when tech giants like Apple start helping, it becomes easier and even more important to continue to make sure these trackers don’t exist. So, keep monitoring the links you share and remove the following ? in a URL. This way, you will avoid a violation of the privacy of those with whom you share links.
Source: ZDNet.com