A few days ago, WebKit announced the WebKit Tracking Prevention Policy’. It employs an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to assist in this endeavor. Whats significant is that the change attempts to put security & privacy of Internet users worldwide when they use their browsers on the same level.
Incidentally, WebKit is the engine that powers Apple’s Safari browser. It’s also used in other IoS platforms, such as Apple’s mail. Recently, WebKit announced updates, which seek to limit 3rd party tracking systems so as to improve user privacy.
As an HTML layout engine WebKit has been much in demand by various organizations, especially Apple. In addition to the Safari browser, it’s deployed in the App Store & Apple Mail. It’s also the engine of choice for LinuxOS, BlackBerry OS 6 & above, Amazon’s Kindle e-book reader & the Tizen mobile operating systems.
Originally forked from the KHTML & KJS libraries belonging to KDE, WebKit has been developed into the robust engine it is today, thanks mostly to a joint effort by Apple & the KDE team. Apple owns the trademark for WebKit since 2013.
What exactly is Online tracking?
Tracking is usually used for advertising purposes, & facilitated by setting a cookie in the users browser. The cookie informs advertisers about your browsing history so that they can ascertain what your interests are, & what type of products to then “show” you.
If you’ve ever had that slightly disconcerted feeling of being watched when you are suddenly shown adverts for camping equipment, after you’ve visited a camping Website, then you’ve been ‘Cookie-Targeted’ by advertisers.
But tracking can also lead to much more serious consequences if used for nefarious reasons, such as finding out who you bank with, & where you might be storing your personal details.
The thing is that in some countries it’s become the law for Site owners to inform you if they use cookies. Most do but many users simply agree to any policy they’re shown, because they want to use the Site, little realizing how invasive cookies can be.
So, there are 2 types of cookies — the good & the bad. Good cookies are set for a short time so that you can login to a Site & see information related to your account, they are domain specific(set only for one domain, not cross-site).
Most login systems use cookies as opposed to Sessions, which only last as long as your browser is open on the site in question.
Experts say with its new updates, WebKit is not targeting ‘good’ cookies; they’re after those that are set for unreasonably long periods of time, where the user’s information is sent back to the setter for reasons unrelated to the user’s intentions, especially in situations where the cookie is set to facilitate cross-site tracking.
If a party attempts to circumvent our tracking prevention methods, we may add additional restrictions without prior notice. These restrictions may apply universally; to algorithmically classified targets; or to specific parties engaging in circumvention”(WebKit.org)
Ultimately, WebKit wants to ensure peace of mind for anyone using its browser on any device. It’s a very good move cause right now, many users are concerned about Online privacy after all the recent news items concerning data leaks & so on.
Many now hope with the announcement of WebKit tracking prevention policy, that Google, a major competitor, will probably follow WebKit’s lead.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
