Web Tracking: A Deep Dive into Online Surveillance
Published:Dec 30, 2025 07:31
•1 min read
•ArXiv
Analysis
This paper is significant because it provides a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of online tracking practices, revealing the extent of surveillance users face. It highlights the prevalence of trackers, the role of specific organizations (like Google), and the potential for demographic disparities in exposure. The use of real-world browsing data and the combination of different tracking detection methods (Blacklight) strengthens the validity of the findings. The paper's focus on privacy implications makes it relevant in today's digital landscape.
Key Takeaways
- •Online tracking is extremely widespread, with almost all users being tracked.
- •Google and similar organizations are major players in online surveillance.
- •Demographic differences in tracking exposure exist, suggesting that browsing behavior influences surveillance risk.
Reference
“Nearly all users ($ > 99\%$) encounter at least one ad tracker or third-party cookie over the observation window.”