GitHub is blocking FLoC
New HTTP header allows site owners to opt-out of FLoC tracking
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Microsoft-ownedGitHubis the latest online service to block Google’sFLoCthough it has done so without even mentioning the browser-based tracking feature.
The company recently announced that it was rolling out a new HTTP header for all sites created in GitHub Pages. In an extremely shortblog post, the company provided further details on the new HTTP header, saying:
“All GitHub Pages sites served from the github.io domain will now have a Permissions-Policy: interest-cohort=() header set. Pages sites using a custom domain will not be impacted.”
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The only indication that this new HTTP header has something to do with FLoC is the inclusion of the word cohort. FLoC itself stands forFederated Learning of Cohortsand this new advertising technology was developed byGoogleto replace third-party cookies for ad tracking through a new API.
Blocking FLoC’s cohorts
GitHub’s decision to block FLoC’s cohorts makes sense as its parent company Microsoft recently tooksimilar stepsto disable the new advertising technology in itsEdgebrowser.
In addition to disabling FLoC in GitHub Pages, GitHub’s main website also now uses this new HTTP header according toBleepingComputer. This means that the company doesn’t want its users to be added to Google’s cohorts when they visit its website.
While FLoC is now rolling out to a small percentage of users in Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines and the US, you can use the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s (EFF)AMIFloced siteto check if you have been issued a FLoC ID and added to one of Google’s cohorts.
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Although we’ve yet to hear from Google regarding whether or not its roll out of FLoC has been a success yet, so farBrave,Vivaldi, the EFF,DuckDuckGoandWordPresshave all openly voiced their concerns surrounding this new advertising technology.
ViaBleepingComputer
After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home.
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