What is the “Do Not Track” feature, and how to 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.

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.

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 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 the 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 the 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.

   

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.