Turning on Do Not Track in Google Chrome

The promise of Do Not Track was supposed to be that with a simple push of the button, ad networks will no longer be able to track your online behavior.

Not only is Do Not Track the opposite of simple, it also does absolutely nothing.

To illustrate, here’s how Do Not Track was implemented in Google Chrome — the world’s most-used browser, according to some studies.

Step 1: Click on “Settings”

So far so good.

Step 2: Click on “Show advanced settings”

Obviously, any user would be able to figure this out.

Step 3: Click on “Send a ‘Do Not Track’ request with your browsing traffic

Oh, right, I see it. The last privacy option. Alright, check…

Step 4: Read the disclaimer

Oh, that’s not it? Wait, what the hell does this mean? This seems to be saying that Do Not Track doesn’t guarantee that I won’t be tracked. I should probably learn more.

Step 5: Click on “Learn more”

Oh, I see. Does Do Not Track do anything? “At this time,” no.

Step 6: Close that window, and click “OK.”

Got all that? Six steps, to achieve nothing. Hooray for Do Not Track! -David

Here's where Wi-Fi meets Communism →

An alternate version of my ‘4 Internet giants’ story

The part of tech conferences that’s the most fun is the random conversations and riffing that happens at meals and in other gathering spots.

Last night, I had a story to finish writing but didn’t want to miss Sir Richard Thompson’s guitar gig. So I parked myself at a table with my laptop and typed amid the rocking. Curious about what I was banging away on, a few of those nearby checked out my screen, which led to us swapping notes about the panel I was writing up. You can read my version of the story on CNNMoney. 

PayPal CTO James Barrese wins the “above and beyond” prize for not just offering me his thoughts on the session’s high points but actually jumping on my laptop to type them up. I’ll note that James is a WAY faster writer than I am — he hammered this out in about 60 seconds. 

So, want a second take on the high points of Techonomy’s panel discussion on the Internet’s four giants (Apple, Amazon, Facebook & Google)? Here’s James’ version:

*Apple needs to keep innovating to maintain is position; Apple needs to maintain high levels of investment.

*Amazon has built up a highly competitive moat with low margins / low pricing that makes it unattractive for investors looking to disrupt it.

*Walmart could be a dark horse.

*Microsoft should be on this list and was left off by Schmidt for obvious reasons.  Xbox is an interesting place in the household.

*Facebook’s management team is unproven over time; it took 10-15 years for Bezos to be confirmed as a genius vs. a crackpot. -Stacy

CNN newcomer unaware of Apple fetish

Your one MUST HAVE hurricane link: The Interwebs Survival Kit  →

In honor of Color, we bring you this Monty Python clip

Email from Color finance vice president Andrew Urushima, as reported by VentureBeat: “Last week, the Board and major shareholders voted to wind down the company.”

Spokespeople from Color and its biggest investor: “Color is not shutting down.” 

It’s the Schrödinger’s cat of startups. Also, we totally called this way back on launch day.  -Stacy

Hawaii County Election Woes Getting State, National Attention →

Our CNN Tech colleague John Sutter is heading up an awesome new CNN project: Change the List. Check our their new Tumblr and follow along.

cnnchangethelist:

Another local story with a mention of this project. Thanks, Sherry!