Google Toolbar Tracks Browsing Even After Users Choose "Disable"

ronjor · Jan 26, 2010

Disclosure: I serve as co-counsel in unrelated litigation against Google, Vulcan Golf et al. v. Google et al. I also serve as a consultant to various companies that compete with Google. But I write on my own -- not at the suggestion or request of any client, without approval or payment from any client.

Run the Google Toolbar, and it’s strikingly easy to activate “Enhanced Features” -- transmitting to Google the full URL of every page-view, including searches at competing search engines. Some critics find this a significant privacy intrusion (1, 2, 3). But in my testing, even Google’s bundled toolbar installations provides some modicum of notice before installing. And users who want to disable such transmissions can always turn them off – or so I thought until I recently retested.

In this article, I provide evidence calling into question the ability of users to disable Google Toolbar transmissions. I begin by reviewing the contents of Google's "Enhanced Features" transmissions. I then offer screenshot and video proof showing that even when users specifically instruct that the Google Toolbar be “disable[d]”, and even when the Google Toolbar seems to be disabled (e.g., because it disappears from view), Google Toolbar continues tracking users’ browsing. I then revisit how Google Toolbar's Enhanced Features get turned on in the first place – noting the striking ease of activating Enhanced Features, and the remarkable absence of a button or option to disable Enhanced Features once they are turned on. I criticize the fact that Google’s disclosures have worsened over time, and I conclude by identifying changes necessary to fulfill users’ expectations and protect users’ privacy.
Click to expand...

Ben Edelman

dw426 · Jan 26, 2010

Ahh, Google, you lovable big brother you. You're always watching me...err, I mean, watching out for me.

Nebulus · Jan 26, 2010

And what on Earth possessed you to install Google toolbar ?

dw426 · Jan 26, 2010

Nebulus said:

And what on Earth possessed you to install Google toolbar ?
Click to expand...

It was a few moons ago, and, in my own defense, it was during an earlier time of Google. You know, before "Do no evil" turned into "Show me the money!"....Geez, that reminds me, I'm getting old.

ronjor · Jan 29, 2010

Privacy issue in Google Toolbar fixed

Google has updated the Internet Explorer version of Google Toolbar to fix a potential privacy issue. In certain circumstances, the Toolbar forwarded information on sites visited, to Google, even if a user had opted out. The problem only arose if the extended "SideWiki" and "PageRanks" features, which legitimately transfer data to Google, were enabled during installation.
Click to expand...

The H Security

Log in or Sign up

Google Toolbar Tracks Browsing Even After Users Choose "Disable"

ronjor Global Moderator

dw426 Registered Member

Nebulus Registered Member

dw426 Registered Member

ronjor Global Moderator

Log in or Sign up

Google Toolbar Tracks Browsing Even After Users Choose "Disable"

ronjor Global Moderator

dw426 Registered Member

Nebulus Registered Member

dw426 Registered Member

ronjor Global Moderator

Useful Searches