Privacy Badger is a Chrome extension developed by the EFF. It's an automatic blocker that learns and blocks invisible trackers, offering enhanced internet privacy. It achieves this by sending 'Global Privacy Control' and 'Do Not Track' signals and opts users out of data sharing and selling. In addition, it replaces potential trackers with click-to-activate placeholders, removes outgoing link click tracking on social media platforms, and continues to develop more privacy protections. Notably, Privacy Badger does not share user browsing data unless the user chooses to share it.
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Instead of keeping lists of what to block, Privacy Badger automatically discovers trackers based on their behavior. Privacy Badger sends the Global Privacy Control signal to opt you out of data sharing and selling, and the Do Not Track signal to tell companies not to track you. If trackers ignore your wishes, Privacy Badger will learn to block them.
Besides automatic tracker blocking, Privacy Badger replaces potentially useful trackers (video players, comments widgets, etc.) with click-to-activate placeholders, and removes outgoing link click tracking on Facebook and Google, with more privacy protections on the way. To learn more, see our FAQ at https://privacybadger.org/#faq
*** Why does Privacy Badger need to read and change all my data on the websites I visit? ***
When you install Privacy Badger, your browser warns that Privacy Badger can “read and change all your data on the websites you visit”. You are right to be alarmed. You should only install extensions made by organizations you trust.
Privacy Badger requires these permissions to do its job of automatically detecting and blocking trackers on all websites you visit. We are not ironically (or unironically) spying on you. For more information, see our Privacy Badger extension permissions explainer: https://github.com/EFForg/privacybadger/blob/master/doc/permissions.md
Note that the extension permissions warnings only cover what the extension has access to, not what the extension actually does with what it has access to (such as whether the extension secretly uploads your browsing data to its servers). Privacy Badger will never share data about your browsing unless you choose to share it (by filing a broken site report). For more information, see EFF’s Privacy Policy for Software: https://www.eff.org/code/privacy/policy
User reviews
User reviews summary
These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews.
Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate,
spammy, or outdated.
Pros
Blocks excessive trackers
Easy to install and use
Works well with other extensions like uBlock Origin
Saves energy by blocking useless ads and running javascripts
Cons
Sometimes disconnects and errors out on websites with forms
Takes too much time to load after opening the browser
Works well with other extensions like uBlock Origin
Recent reviews
Hello EFF,
Just noticed at least your last two versions will not allow to update the extension, which is now stuck on 2024.5.17 for certain Chrome browser versions. The Chrome webstore gives the message "This item is not compatible with your current Chrome version".
On a cursory glance, it seems it's because you set the minimum version requirement to exclude Chrome version 109.0.5414.168 and older. Other extensions are updating to newer versions and working without any problem, except for yours, so it seems to be a purely arbitrary decision on your part.
These are the last Chrome versions to work for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, which even if you fully believe the lowest usage numbers being quoted, it still represents at least 3-6% of the world user base (it's really higher). I know, Win 7/8/8.1 and those Chrome browser versions are unsupported and it's all potentially very dangerous, blah, blah, blah (insert boogeyman fear mongering here).
Don't misunderstand, I know it's potentially dangerous for the average user, I have access and use multiple OSes from DOS to Win11, Mac, UNIX, Linux, etc. So, it's not a big deal to me personally and I have use of your extension via other OSes/Browsers. I do also believe you absolutely have the right not to support the OS/Browser, especially on a FREE extension, but to do so for no real technical or apparent reason whatsoever and you being the EFF of all people, just seems wrong somehow and unexpected, if you get me, that's all.
Anyhow, thanks for making your extension and doing so for FREE, it's TRULY appreciated, you guys help make the world a little bit better place.
Edit --
Thanks for the prompt response and information, it's greatly appreciated!
I'm not going to try and second guess you guys and will take your word that your extension using Manifest V3 will not run properly on that Chrome browser version. However, I do want to add that I have currently 26 extensions running under Manifest V3 on that same browser version without any noticeable problems whatsoever and some of the extensions are similar in function to yours.
Anyhow, thanks again for all you guys do and keep fighting the good fight...
Cheers!
Hello EFF,
Just noticed at least your last two versions will not allow to update the extension, which is now stuck on 2024.5.17 for certain Chrome browser versions. The Chrome webstore gives the message "This item is not compatible with your current Chrome version".
On a cursory glance, it seems it's because you set the minimum version requirement to exclude Chrome version 109.0.5414.168 and older. Other extensions are updating to newer versions and working without any problem, except for yours, so it seems to be a purely arbitrary decision on your part.
These are the last Chrome versions to work for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, which even if you fully believe the lowest usage numbers being quoted, it still represents at least 3-6% of the world user base (it's really higher). I know, Win 7/8/8.1 and those Chrome browser versions are unsupported and it's all potentially very dangerous, blah, blah, blah (insert boogeyman fear mongering here).
Don't misunderstand, I know it's potentially dangerous for the average user, I have access and use multiple OSes from DOS to Win11, Mac, UNIX, Linux, etc. So, it's not a big deal to me personally and I have use of your extension via other OSes/Browsers. I do also believe you absolutely have the right not to support the OS/Browser, especially on a FREE extension, but to do so for no real technical or apparent reason whatsoever and you being the EFF of all people, just seems wrong somehow and unexpected, if you get me, that's all.
Anyhow, thanks for making your extension and doing so for FREE, it's TRULY appreciated, you guys help make the world a little bit better place.
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Privacy Badger is risky to use as it requires a number of sensitive permissions that can
potentially harm your browser and steal your data. Exercise caution when installing this
extension. Review carefully before installing. We recommend that you only
install
Privacy Badger
if you trust the publisher.
Risk likelihood
Privacy Badger has earned a good reputation and can be trusted.
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