Ghostery
Ghostery is a comprehensive privacy tool designed to enhance user control over their online data. Initially launched in 2010, it has evolved from a simple tracker-blocking browser extension into a full-fledged suite of privacy tools.
History
- Ghostery was first introduced by Evidon, a company focused on digital governance and consumer privacy. It was created to help users identify and block trackers on the web.
- In 2017, Cliqz, a privacy-focused browser developer, acquired Ghostery. This acquisition led to the integration of Ghostery's technology into Cliqz's browser, enhancing its privacy features.
- After the acquisition, Ghostery expanded its offerings, focusing not just on blocking trackers but also on providing users with more control over their online privacy settings.
Features
- Tracker Blocking: Ghostery blocks trackers from companies that follow users' browsing behavior across the internet.
- Enhanced Privacy: It provides options to customize the level of privacy desired, from simply blocking trackers to more advanced settings like Do Not Track enforcement.
- Insights: Users can view detailed information about the trackers on the websites they visit, including the company name, category, and what data is being collected.
- Whitelist: Users can whitelist trusted websites, allowing them to function properly while still maintaining privacy elsewhere.
- Ghostery Private Search: An in-built search engine that does not track users' searches, providing privacy by default.
Platforms
Ghostery is available as:
Development and Community
- Ghostery has an active community where users can contribute to the development through suggestions, reporting bugs, and participating in discussions.
- It also supports developers by allowing them to create custom filters or contribute to the Ghostery TrackerDB, which helps in identifying and categorizing trackers.
Business Model
Ghostery offers a freemium model where the basic service is free, but premium features, like enhanced tracker blocking and ad-free browsing, are available through a subscription called Ghostery Private Browsing.
Controversy
- There have been concerns about Ghostery's business model under Evidon, where it was noted that Ghostery might have been sharing data with third parties for analytics purposes. However, under Cliqz, Ghostery has committed to a no-data-sharing policy.
External Links
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