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Web Giants Threaten End to Cookie Tracking
Wall Street Journal ^ | Oct. 28, 2013 | ELIZABETH DWOSKIN

Posted on 10/29/2013 6:59:33 AM PDT by Second Amendment First

The end could be near for cookies, the tiny pieces of code that marketers deploy on Web browsers to track people's online movements, serve targeted advertising and amass valuable user profiles.

The moves could radically shift the balance of power in the $120 billion global digital advertising industry—and have ad technology companies scrambling to figure out their next play.

*

On Wednesday, Microsoft quietly announced in a blog post that the company will give marketers the ability to track and advertise to people who use apps on its Windows 8 and 8.1 operating system on tablets and PCs. The company will do this by assigning each user a number—a unique identifier—that monitors them across all of their apps. (The system doesn't block cookies in Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser.) Industry players think Microsoft-powered smartphones and Xbox game consoles will be a natural extension of the system, but Microsoft kept mum on the question.

Microsoft could then use its access to consumers to broker advertising to people or sell data about users as part of demographic categories, such as avid game players under 40 who also check sports apps. Earlier this year, Apple also began offering advertisers the ability to trail and target users through a unique ID on smartphones and tablets.

Google's plans, which the company disclosed in only the broadest of terms last month, would also make use of a unique ID. But the tracking could be far-reaching, say industry experts. Google's system could tie together data about users across all the company's products—Gmail, the Chrome browser and Android phones. In a statement about its efforts, the company said "technological enhancements" like an identifier could improve security "while ensuring the Web remains economically viable."

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cookies; internet; privacyrights; tracking
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To: Second Amendment First

Threaten ?

It’s not a threat, it’s a cost saving plan. Eliminate cookies and replace them with a uniform tracking ID that works and is exchanged cross platform automatically.

This will fit in nicely with the latest login security concepts where your ‘profile’ is recognized by hardware/software that’s already commonly available on the XBOX KINNECT. Your VISUAL PROFILE is recognized and then linked to a cloud based cookie jar that has your name on it.

Ain’t it kool ?


21 posted on 10/29/2013 7:40:10 AM PDT by UCANSEE2 (The monsters are due on Maple Street)
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To: Second Amendment First
What they really mean is an end to blocking cookies.

Figures.

22 posted on 10/29/2013 7:42:32 AM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statemAfter two drive killing INent of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: cuban leaf

I have a Tracphone rather than a ‘regular’ cell phone. I’m wondering, with all the NSA tracking, how they handle this sort of phone since it isn’t associated with an account. Of course, I’m sure they can break into whatever lists of contacts are on the phone somehow ..... I’m waiting for them to outlaw phones where you don’t have to have an account with personal, identifying info.


23 posted on 10/29/2013 7:42:59 AM PDT by MissMagnolia (You see, truth always resides wherever brave men still have ammunition. I pick truth. (John Ransom))
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To: yldstrk; cuban leaf
I always ignore that

The Spite House switchboard number is (202) 456-1414.

Just saying...

24 posted on 10/29/2013 7:44:14 AM PDT by null and void (I'm betting on an Obama Trifecta: A Nobel Peace Prize, an Impeachment, AND a War Crimes Trial...)
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To: null and void

you mean gmail is government email

I know

I assume everything I put on it is read by NSA

helps them fall asleep at night


25 posted on 10/29/2013 7:45:24 AM PDT by yldstrk (My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: yldstrk

No, I mean when gmail asks for a phone number, give ‘em one. Your local newspaper editor’s, The mayor, The occupier, dial a prayer, the sewage treatment plant, something.


26 posted on 10/29/2013 7:48:52 AM PDT by null and void (I'm betting on an Obama Trifecta: A Nobel Peace Prize, an Impeachment, AND a War Crimes Trial...)
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To: Second Amendment First
I'm sure the Stasi will appreciate the identifier as well.

That's the really scary thing. But, I rather think they already have me tracked by device urls anyway, at home, work or mobile.

27 posted on 10/29/2013 7:49:13 AM PDT by citizen (There is always free government cheese in the mouse trap.....https://twitter.com/kracker0)
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To: null and void

OH!

lol

brilliant! I like that

sorry I’m so dense


28 posted on 10/29/2013 7:50:59 AM PDT by yldstrk (My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: yldstrk; Darksheare

Perhaps Darksheare can get you some coffee?


29 posted on 10/29/2013 7:52:37 AM PDT by null and void (I'm betting on an Obama Trifecta: A Nobel Peace Prize, an Impeachment, AND a War Crimes Trial...)
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To: null and void

lol

I guess I need more, I have been drinking coffe but maybe I need expresso


30 posted on 10/29/2013 7:56:27 AM PDT by yldstrk (My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: cuban leaf

I just make one up.

Scru ‘em.


31 posted on 10/29/2013 7:57:12 AM PDT by Adder (No, Mr. Franklin, we could NOT keep it.)
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To: Second Amendment First
B T T T ! ! ! ©

32 posted on 10/29/2013 8:24:28 AM PDT by onyx (Please Support Free Republic - Donate Monthly! If you want on Sarah Palin's Ping List, Let Me know!)
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To: null and void
No, I mean when gmail asks for a phone number, give ‘em one. Your local newspaper editor’s, The mayor, The occupier, dial a prayer, the sewage treatment plant, something.


LOLOLOL

33 posted on 10/29/2013 8:26:06 AM PDT by onyx (Please Support Free Republic - Donate Monthly! If you want on Sarah Palin's Ping List, Let Me know!)
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To: TomGuy

Thanks


34 posted on 10/29/2013 8:31:15 AM PDT by leapfrog0202 ("the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery" Sarah Palin)
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To: Adder

I just make one up.

Scru ‘em.


That’s one you can’t make up. They send a confirmation text message to the number you use. :-(


35 posted on 10/29/2013 8:35:39 AM PDT by cuban leaf
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To: MissMagnolia

I used to work for the Law Enforcement Relations department at a large cell phone company. When working with the DEA I found out the trakfones are hugely popular with drug dealers. They go through a lot of ‘em, throwing them away at pretty regular intervals.

You can only track the phone based on who the person calls and receives calls from. Every time you throw it away and get a new one, you are a “new entity”. The old one is “dead”.


36 posted on 10/29/2013 8:40:56 AM PDT by cuban leaf
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To: cuban leaf

Very interesting ... thanks!


37 posted on 10/29/2013 9:01:03 AM PDT by MissMagnolia (You see, truth always resides wherever brave men still have ammunition. I pick truth. (John Ransom))
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To: null and void; yldstrk

There was rumor of someone crushing a No-Doze caffeine tab into coffee brewed my way.
I have not heard tell of the results.


38 posted on 10/29/2013 9:14:11 AM PDT by Darksheare (Try my coffee, first one's free..... Even robots will kill for it!)
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To: Second Amendment First

How dare they... how dare the little jerks do this?


39 posted on 10/29/2013 9:25:40 AM PDT by GOPJ ( We've grown to trust MSM hatred. When the MSM hates one of us it's an endorsement.)
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To: GOPJ

If you have nussink to hide vhy vould you care?


40 posted on 10/29/2013 9:32:46 AM PDT by null and void (I'm betting on an Obama Trifecta: A Nobel Peace Prize, an Impeachment, AND a War Crimes Trial...)
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