Post by fugitive247 on Aug 4, 2007 23:16:27 GMT -5
Some folks have been asking about Y!'s "Web Beacon" technology. Until tonight I hadn't bothered to dig much further than common knowledge that it's used much in the same manner as site cookies, etc.
I'm still researching Web Beacon, and will post additional info as it's found. However, one aspect I'm currently very concerned about is verifying Y!'s possible (read: very probable) use of embedded single-pixel .gif files as a key component of its Web Beacon program. [source]
Learn more about single-pixel .gif files... [Google]
A couple of things are certain:
I'm still researching Web Beacon, and will post additional info as it's found. However, one aspect I'm currently very concerned about is verifying Y!'s possible (read: very probable) use of embedded single-pixel .gif files as a key component of its Web Beacon program. [source]
Learn more about single-pixel .gif files... [Google]
A couple of things are certain:
- Even with independent Y! accounts for Y!A, 360, Groups, and email, Web Beacon can correlate identical IP addresses with each individual account.
- Unless one wants to delete their complete cookie history and use an anonymous proxy server for each individual Y! account session, that's life under Y!'s Web Beacon. Big Brother *is* watching you.
- Web Beacon does have an opt-out, but electing to do so renders Y! pretty much useless.
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