The Web Tracking Arms Race: Past, Present, and Future - USENIX Enigma 2018

Explore the evolving landscape of web tracking and privacy in this 21-minute conference talk from USENIX Enigma 2018. Delve into Princeton University researcher Arvind Narayanan's findings on the state of online tracking and efforts to empower users. Learn about sneaky tracking methods employed by the ad tech industry, including canvas fingerprinting and third-party tracking. Discover the power of open web privacy measurement and the use of automated browsers for large-scale tracking studies. Examine the implications of audio APIs, session replay scripts, and the effectiveness of browser extensions as privacy solutions. Consider the broader impact of web privacy on democracy and the role of browser vendors in shaping privacy standards. Gain insights into historical accidents that have influenced current power structures in web tracking. Conclude with recommendations for policymakers and browser vendors on taking a proactive stance in protecting user privacy.