[Serplat]

The DNT header was likely to be ignored to begin with, but this just seals it.

The only way that the DNT header even stood a chance was if it was only enabled by a select few individuals who are greatly concerned with their privacy. By defaulting it to 'on' for users who don't particularly care about their privacy, or understand any of the implications, they essentially guarantee that only a handful of sites will even consider honoring DNT.

Assuming they actually stick with this, DNT has lost all of the little meaning it had to begin with.

[randomfool]

Not quite- this is a direct shot at Google's advertising revenue. Google doesn't have the luxury of ignoring this.

Microsoft isn't doing this to protect users against nefarious trackers, it's doing it to hurt Google's bottom line.

[Serplat]

I suppose that makes some sense.

However, it doesn't change the fact that by enabling it by default, most other sites will likely end up just ignoring it, even if that isn't Microsoft's intent.

[kenjackson]

Why can't Google ignore this? Don't they make most of their revenue for targeted ads on the search page?

Besides, what happened to Google siding with the user even when their revenue was on the line? Wasn't that their corporate position with China? Or is that only the corporate position when it conveniently aligns with other interests?

This just seems like a no-brainer.