Google Analytics to allow per-user opt-out

Filed under: Google, Browsers, Op-Ed

Lovers of privacy and of "not doing evil", rejoice!

The Google Analytics team just announced they are working on a browser-based opt-out mechanism. In simple terms, this means that a user could install an add-on or a plug-in and simply say "I don't want Analytics to track me, ever". Bam -- done deal. No more Analytics tracking for said user on any site.

I think this is a brilliant PR move on the part of Google. Out of a 100% of all browser users, how many know add-ons exist? How many are aware of Analytics? Out of those, how many would go through the trouble of locating and installing anti-Analytics for their browser? I'm guessing is comes down to less than 0.5% of all users. So it's a total win for Google here; privacy lovers can't whine because it's really the only Analytics suite with selective opt-out (to the best of my knowledge, anyway) while on the whole, Analytics won't be affected at all. Genius.

Google Analytics to allow per-user opt-out originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments