=What is Tracking?= Tracking is the collection of a person’s browsing data across multiple sites, usually via included content. Tracking domains attempt to uniquely identify a person through the use of cookies or other technologies such as fingerprinting. =What is Tracking Protection?= Tracking Protection is an experimental feature available on the Nightly channel of Firefox--the first of its kind launched under the Polaris initiative-- that does two things. It turns on a Do Not Track signal for the user and it blocks included content from known or suspected tracking domains. Without Tracking Protection, when a person visits a site with Firefox, Firefox loads the top-level URL followed by any resources requested (such as images or Javascript) by the parent page. With Tracking Protection enabled, Firefox doesn't load included resources from tracking domains, preventing transmission of identifiers such as cookies. Essentially, it asks the question: what would the web feel like if a Do Not Track signal were more widely respected. The initial blocklist used by Tracking Protection is based on [https://disconnect.me/ Disconnect's blocklist]. =Why should you turn on Tracking Protection= The Polaris program is intended to bring together thought leaders from inside and outside Mozilla to collaborate on a state-of-the-art privacy roadmap for the Web. It will attempt to strike a balance between consumer desire for enhanced protection and consumer desire for a convenient, performant Web. We need your help to refine experimental features like Tracking Protection so we can calibrate these trade-offs and advance the state of privacy on the Web while keeping it open, vibrant and innovative. =How to turn on Tracking Protection= Tracking Protection can be turned on by flipping a new Polaris preference in Firefox Nightly (note, it will remain in Nightly indefinitely. There are no plans to have it “ride the trains” at this time.) # Enter '''about:config''' in the location bar. # Search for '''browser.polaris.enabled''' # Double-click '''browser.polaris.enabled''' This will turn on Tracking Protection and DNT, in addition to exposing the checkbox to enable or disable Tracking Protection in the Privacy pane of the Preferences panel. =How to use Tracking Protection= Tracking Protection information is revealed through the same doorhanger as [[How does content that isn't secure affect my safety?|mixed content blocking]]. Both types of protection involve blocking network loads that match certain criteria. Once Tracking Protection is activated, you will see a shield whenever Firefox is blocking either tracking domains or mixed content. [[Image:TrackingProtectionActive]] You may choose to disable Tracking Protection for a particular site by clicking on the doorhanger and selecting "Disable protection for this site." Once Tracking Protection is disabled for a site, you will see a shield with a red strike-through. You may choose to re-enable Tracking Protection for the site by clicking the doorhanger and selecting "Enable protection". [[Image:TrackingProtectionDisabled]] To see which resources are being blocked, you can open the web console and look for messages under the Security tab.

What is Tracking?

Tracking is the collection of a person’s browsing data across multiple sites, usually via included content. Tracking domains attempt to uniquely identify a person through the use of cookies or other technologies such as fingerprinting.

What is Tracking Protection?

Tracking Protection is an experimental feature available on the Nightly channel of Firefox--the first of its kind launched under the Polaris initiative-- that does two things. It turns on a Do Not Track signal for the user and it blocks included content from known or suspected tracking domains. Without Tracking Protection, when a person visits a site with Firefox, Firefox loads the top-level URL followed by any resources requested (such as images or Javascript) by the parent page. With Tracking Protection enabled, Firefox doesn't load included resources from tracking domains, preventing transmission of identifiers such as cookies. Essentially, it asks the question: what would the web feel like if a Do Not Track signal were more widely respected.

The initial blocklist used by Tracking Protection is based on Disconnect's blocklist.

Why should you turn on Tracking Protection

The Polaris program is intended to bring together thought leaders from inside and outside Mozilla to collaborate on a state-of-the-art privacy roadmap for the Web. It will attempt to strike a balance between consumer desire for enhanced protection and consumer desire for a convenient, performant Web.

We need your help to refine experimental features like Tracking Protection so we can calibrate these trade-offs and advance the state of privacy on the Web while keeping it open, vibrant and innovative.

How to turn on Tracking Protection

Tracking Protection can be turned on by flipping a new Polaris preference in Firefox Nightly (note, it will remain in Nightly indefinitely. There are no plans to have it “ride the trains” at this time.)

1. Enter about:config in the location bar.
2. Search for browser.polaris.enabled
3. Double-click browser.polaris.enabled

This will turn on Tracking Protection and DNT, in addition to exposing the checkbox to enable or disable Tracking Protection in the Privacy pane of the Preferences panel.

How to use Tracking Protection

Tracking Protection information is revealed through the same doorhanger as mixed content blocking. Both types of protection involve blocking network loads that match certain criteria. Once Tracking Protection is activated, you will see a shield whenever Firefox is blocking either tracking domains or mixed content.

You may choose to disable Tracking Protection for a particular site by clicking on the doorhanger and selecting "Disable protection for this site." Once Tracking Protection is disabled for a site, you will see a shield with a red strike-through. You may choose to re-enable Tracking Protection for the site by clicking the doorhanger and selecting "Enable protection".

To see which resources are being blocked, you can open the web console and look for messages under the Security tab.