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Block fonts.googleapis.com
I know this will "break" websites, in the sense that custom fonts are now loaded and content will be rendered using secondary/default fonts. But nonetheless, the innocent, hosted resources of fonts.googleapis.com (and probably other stuff, such as JS libs on ajax.googleapis.com, that Google kindly hosts for everyone "to speed up the internet") acts as trackers for Google, just like GA, Like Buttons and what have you.
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This has been asked before, and discussed extensively over the years. Minimal logging occurs on fonts.googleapis.com, and it's neither tracking individual users, nor counting page views (as most commercial font services do). We've determined that it does not meet the criteria to be labeled a tracker, and, consequently, will not be listed as a blockable element. Google Hosted Libraries are also non-tracking. They are not "just like" the other things you mentioned (which are listed in Ghostery's database).
For more information, refer to Google's Developer documentation.Comment -
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Thanks for a swift reply :)
I understand and respect your approach to this dilemma, but I certainly don't agree with it.
Looking at the ToS , I'm unable to find any promise of not tracking users (please point me in the right direction). And even if it's there, I simply wouldn't take Google's word for it.
What I _am_ able to find in the ToS is, among other things:
* "Google may monitor the use of the APIs to ensure quality"
* "Google reserves the right in its discretion to include advertising in the content returned through the APIs"
* "By using our APIs, you agree that Google can use submitted information in accordance with our privacy policies, such as http://www.google.com/privacypolicy.html" - following that link you will also see that:
* "We collect information to provide better services to all of our users – from figuring out basic stuff like which language you speak, to more complex things like which ads you’ll find most useful or the people who matter most to you online."
I understand that blocking *.googleapis.com will affect both presentation and behavioir of a lot of sites. But just as some site owners may not realise the privacy violation imposed by a Like button, I think even less site owners realise the (potential) privacy violations imposed by utilising hosted files like these. On the other hand, I _do_ believe it to be your responsibility, as piece of software that promises to help users protect their privacy, to at least give the users the option to block this kind of files. -
CHAMP
