[cm277]

It's MUCH worse, because if this catches on in any significant way, it makes Google the main (eventually only?) provider of demographic data for audiences/tracking. Google already owns the browser market and almost owns the advertising market, but if you want to try to play outside with your own SEO/direct marketing strategy you may be able to make it work. But in a world where cookies/independent tracking is dead and the only provider is Google? you'll have to go through AdSense.

Google needs to be broken up and ground to dust --well, judiciously regulated by a democratically-elected legislature, but in the absence of that, I would take anything. I can't believe this is the "Don't do evil" company.

[jsnell]

But the only provider isn't "Google". The browser will provide this data equally to any site asking for it, i.e. all the ad networks that the site is using. Not just to Google.

If anything, it is leveling the playing field. All ad networks will get the same interest data, rather than the ones with a higher reach 3rd party cookie having more information.

[datavirtue]

Wow, you are spinning this as a universal good? "Leveling the playing field." Ridiculous. Nothing to see here folks, move on, Google is protecting you.

[jsnell]

No, "universal good" is something you made up.

I'm saying that the specific complaint you had was obviously false.

[toddmorey]

This is a really good point. And I think the specific lists of interests will basically be used as a fingerprint.