Privacy Badger Overview Privacy Badger is a free browser extension created by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) aimed at stopping companies from spying on users online by blocking third-party trackers. --- Key Features Automatic Tracker Blocking: Privacy Badger detects and blocks advertisers and third-party trackers that track users across multiple websites without consent. Algorithmic Blocking: Unlike traditional ad blockers that rely on fixed blocklists, Privacy Badger uses algorithms to identify and block trackers based on behavior. Global Privacy Signals: Sends Global Privacy Control (GPC) and Do Not Track (DNT) signals to websites, to request opt-out from tracking. Cookie and Link Click Tracking Protections: Protects by blocking tracking cookies and removing outgoing link click trackers for sites like Facebook and Google. Social Media Widget Control: Replaces social media widgets with click-to-activate placeholders to prevent tracking unless activated by the user. Compatibility: Works alongside other ad blockers and Firefox’s built-in tracking protections. --- Supported Browsers Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox (Desktop and Android) Microsoft Edge (Desktop and Android) Opera EFF is working on Safari support for macOS but iOS Safari currently cannot support Privacy Badger due to extension limitations. --- How Privacy Badger Works Monitors third-party domains loading on pages you visit. Blocks domains that are observed to track users across three or more sites. Uses unique cookie detection, local storage "supercookies," and canvas fingerprinting recognition. Receives periodic "learning" updates from EFF’s Badger Sett project for improved detection. --- User Interface Explanation Red Slider: Completely blocks content from a suspicious third-party domain. Yellow Slider: Allows content deemed necessary for webpage functionality but blocks tracking cookies. Green Slider: Allows content freely; no blocking applied. --- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Highlights What is Privacy Badger? A tool to stop third-party trackers from monitoring your web activities without consent. How is it different from other blockers? Focuses on privacy, not just ad blocking. Uses automated behavioral detection instead of lists curated by humans. Supports user signals (DNT, GPC) and enforces them by blocking non-complying trackers. Does it block all ads? No, it blocks only ads that track you without consent, aiming to encourage privacy-respecting advertising rather than block all ads. What about first-party trackers (sites you visit directly)? Privacy Badger targets mainly third-party tracking. It removes some tracking like Facebook and Google link click trackers and plans to expand first-party protection. What are third-party trackers? Domains other than the website you visit that embed images, scripts, or ads which track users across websites. How to stop Privacy Badger from blocking my domain (for advertisers)? Comply with Global Privacy Control and Do Not Track signals. Host EFF’s Do Not Track policy at https://example.com/.well-known/dnt-policy.txt with HTTPS. Privacy Badger will stop blocking compliant domains over time. Is it spying on me? No, Privacy Badger needs broad access to detect trackers but does not share browsing data without user permission. How to uninstall? Follow standard extension removal procedures for your browser: Firefox: Mozilla support page for addons. Chrome: Chrome Web Store help pages. Edge: Microsoft help for extensions. --- Additional Resources Privacy Badger source code (GPLv3+) Privacy Badger website code (AGPLv3+) Download press kit for media [Privacy Badger enterprise