What Is the “Do Not Track” feature, and How Do You Disable It?

Do Not Track (DNT) is a setting found in web browsers and a software tool designed to prevent tracking of users' online activities. When activated, this feature sends requests to websites, informing them of the user's preference regarding tracking for analytics and personalization.

In some cases, it may be necessary to disable this feature. For example, to improve traffic, collect analytics data, or gather data for analytical metrics. If a website follows the “DNT” request, the data it collects may be incomplete or distorted. Below, we'll explore how to disable this feature in the most popular browsers.

How Do Not Track Works

The “Do Not Track” feature works by sending a special HTTP header called “DNT: 1” from your browser to every website you visit. This header signals your preference not to be tracked online. Each time your browser requests a page or resource, it includes the DNT header to tell the website you do not want tracking activities.

Here’s how Do Not Track works and what it asks websites to do:

• Sends the HTTP header “DNT: 1” with every request from your browser.
• Signals preference to stop tracking via cookies, fingerprinting, behavioral ads, third-party scripts.
• Requests websites to stop tracking behaviors, which include storing tracking cookies on your device, using fingerprinting techniques to identify you, behavioral advertising, and running third-party tracking scripts.
• These activities collect data about your browsing habits without explicit permission.

However, Do Not Track has a major limitation: it relies on websites voluntarily respecting your preference.

• Depends on voluntary compliance; websites may ignore it.
• Often disregarded by major platforms and ad networks. Many sites and advertising platforms ignore the DNT signal, continuing to track users regardless.
• There is no enforcement or legal requirement to honor Do Not Track. This means the feature alone may not guarantee privacy.

Because of this, you should consider alternative or complementary tools to reduce tracking online.

• Use in combination with privacy extensions, browsers, or VPNs for real protection.
• These options include installing privacy-focused browser extensions like do not track extension add-ons, using privacy-oriented browsers, or connecting through VPNs that hide your IP address.

How to Disable Do Not Track in Google Chrome

Before disabling the “Do Not Track” feature in Google Chrome, ensure your browser is updated to the latest version. Follow the instructions below:

1. Launch the Google Chrome browser, then click on the button with three dots located in the upper-right corner of the screen. From the menu, select the “Settings” option.

   

2. Navigate to the “Privacy and Security” tab in the new window. Find the “Third-Party Cookies” section in this menu. Please note that the tab name may vary depending on your version of Google Chrome, but it should reference cookies.

   

3. Scroll down the page until you locate the option labeled “Do Not Track”. Adjust the slider to enable or disable the feature. A highlighted slider indicates that the feature is active, while a gray slider indicates it is disabled. Note that in older versions, this setting might be labeled as “Debug Do Not Track”. Changes are saved automatically, so simply close the settings page and restart your browser.

   

Keep in mind that the option is turned off by default if you've reinstalled Chrome.

How to Disable “Do Not Track” in Mozilla Firefox

In the Firefox browser, similar to Chrome or Chromium, the “Do Not Track” feature is disabled by default, allowing websites to collect users’ information. The exception is private browser windows, where Do Not Track is always active. To adjust the setting, follow the steps below:

1. Launch the Firefox browser, then click on the button with three dots located in the upper-right corner of the screen. From the menu, select the “Settings” option.

   

2. On the left side of the window, click on the “Privacy and Security” section. Scroll to find the “Do Not Track” section. To activate the feature, select the “Always” checkbox; to deactivate it, select the “Block known trackers” checkbox. This option ensures that data is only hidden from well-known spammer websites. Any changes you make are automatically saved.

   

3. To enhance network privacy, you can adjust various settings in Mozilla Firefox within the same tab. Scroll down to the “Firefox Data Collection and Use” section, located near the bottom of the page.

   

For the highest level of privacy on your network, it is advised to disable all checkboxes. However, if you prefer personalized advertising and are comfortable with your online activities being visible, you can leave the default settings.

How to Disable “Do Not Track” in Opera Browser

In the most recent versions of Opera, to disable the “Do Not Track” feature, follow these steps:

1. Launch Opera, then click on the button with three dots located in the upper-right corner of the screen. From the menu, select the “Go to full browser settings” option.

   

2. In the new window, select the “Privacy and Security” tab on the left side of the screen. Then, choose the “Cookies” tab, and scroll down to find the “Do Not Track” option. To allow websites to monitor user activities and collect information this option must be disabled.

   

How to Disable “Do Not Track” in Microsoft Edge Browser

In Microsoft Edge, the “Do Not Track” feature is disabled by default. To manage this feature, you need to follow these steps:

1. Launch Microsoft Edge, then click on the button with three dots located in the upper-right corner of the screen. From the menu, select the “Settings” option.

   

2. In the new window, navigate to the “Privacy, search, and services” tab on the left side. Scroll down to the “Privacy” section. To disable “Do Not Track” toggle the slider next to “Do Not Track” to turn it off.

   

Related Privacy Tools and Frameworks

You’ll want to go beyond Do Not Track when managing your privacy. CookieYes is an example of a Consent Management Platform (CMP) designed to handle cookie consent requirements that DNT doesn’t cover. CMPs collect, store, and manage your consent to cookie use, helping websites follow data privacy laws.

Two important laws regarding cookie consent are the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in Europe and California’s CCPA and CPRA. The GDPR requires sites to get active opt-in consent before tracking cookies are placed. CCPA and CPRA give users the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information, including for advertising tracking.

Besides CookieYes, popular CMP providers include:

• OneTrust
• TrustArc
• Usercentrics
• Quantcast Choice

These solutions help sites comply with privacy rules while respecting your preferences.

Frameworks for Advertising and Analytics

The Interactive Advertising Bureau’s Transparency and Consent Framework (IAB TCF v2.2) is the standard many websites use to manage consent for personalized ads across multiple vendors. CMPs help websites integrate this framework easily.

Google Consent Mode is another tool that works alongside CMPs. It connects with Google tags and ad scripts, automatically adjusting how ads and analytics behave based on your consent choices.

Enhanced Browser Features

Browsers also offer enhanced privacy features that complement Do Not Track. For example:

• Firefox’s Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks many trackers by default.
• Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative aims to reduce third-party tracking.
• Brave browser provides built-in shields that stop ads and trackers immediately.

You can test your privacy compliance and consent setup with tools like Cookie Checker by CookieYes or the Google Consent Mode Checker. Legal compliance checkers for GDPR and CCPA help make sure websites meet requirements.

Quick Reference: Key Tools and Frameworks

Here’s a quick overview of related tools and frameworks to know:

Why Do Not Track Might Not Be Enough

You should know that Do Not Track is voluntary. No law currently forces websites to honor it, so many ignore it completely. Sites and advertisers use many tools to keep tracking, regardless of your DNT setting. These methods are frankly egregious:

• first-party and third-party cookies;
• fingerprinting your device;
• server-side tracking that doesn’t even rely on cookies.

Ad networks and analytics services often do not respect Do Not Track at all. This means simply enabling DNT doesn’t guarantee your browsing data stays private.

Network Masking Solutions

Stronger privacy control comes from using cookie consent management platforms (CMPs) that enforce your choices under privacy laws. Plus, adding privacy-enhancing browser extensions such as uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger blocks trackers on many sites. Using standalone tools like VPNs (for example, NordVPN or ExpressVPN) hides your IP and encrypts your traffic.

Another powerful addition is a service like Proxy-Seller, which offers reliable proxy servers, including residential, ISP, datacenter IPv4/IPv6, and mobile proxies. By routing your internet traffic through these proxies, you mask your real IP address and reduce direct tracking. This adds a technical layer of protection beyond browser settings like Do Not Track.

Proxy-Seller Capabilities:

• Supports SOCKS5 and HTTP(S) proxies with high speeds up to 1 Gbps. This helps you safely bypass geo-restrictions and avoid some IP-based tracking.
• Their extensive proxy network covers over 220 countries and supports multiple protocols, giving you flexibility and control.
• They provide 24/7 support and comply with GDPR and CCPA, meeting the needs of privacy-conscious users seeking better anonymity and security than what Do Not Track alone can offer.

Summary: DNT's Failure and the Real Fix

In summary, here’s why Do Not Track might fall short and what you can do:

• DNT compliance is voluntary; many ignore it.
• Tracking continues using cookies, fingerprinting, server-side methods.
• Ad networks and analytics often bypass DNT signals.
• Use CMPs for enforceable consent and legal compliance.
• Add privacy extensions like uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger.
• Use VPNs (NordVPN, ExpressVPN) or Proxy-Seller proxies to mask IP and reduce tracking.
• Proxy-Seller offers high-speed, multi-protocol proxies in 220+ countries with 24/7 support.
• Emerging privacy laws push toward mandatory consent, impacting tracking practices.
• Relying only on Do Not Track risks giving false confidence in privacy protection.

To Summarize

The “Do Not Track” standard is not legally binding, and websites are not obligated to comply with this request. Despite enabling “Do Not Track”, many websites and advertising networks may choose to disregard these requests and continue collecting user activity information.

By disabling the “Do Not Track” feature in popular browsers, you allow the tracking of information necessary for analytics and the collection of important data for further interaction with websites.