Do Not Track vs. Global Privacy Control: A Deep Dive into Modern Privacy Signals
Privacy on the web has become a critical concern in an age where every click, search, and online interaction is potentially monitored and monetized. Two privacy mechanisms— Do Not Track (DNT) and Global Privacy Control (GPC) —represent efforts to empower users to regain control over their data. While they share the same goal, their approaches and relevance in today’s regulatory landscape could not be more different. As someone immersed in web security and privacy, I believe it’s essential to understand what these mechanisms do, why they matter, how they work, and where they succeed or fail. Let’s unpack the story behind each one. Do Not Track: An Ambitious Idea That Missed Its Mark Do Not Track (DNT) emerged in 2009 when concerns over online tracking grew, but few tools existed to address them. It was a simple concept: users could enable a browser setting that sent a signal—an HTTP header—requesting that websites and third parties refrain from tracking their browsing activitie...