Google Refutes Safari Tracking Accusations Made by WSJ

Researchers recently discovered that some online-based advertising companies -- including Google -- were using a software workaround to avoid the privacy settings of Apple's Safari browser for the iPhone and its Mac computers. The Wall Street Journal reports that the workarounds allow the sites to install cookies on user devices even if the users have set their device to reject such cookies. The cookies can then used to track user browsing habits. Google deactivated this code after it was contacted by the Journal and said, "The Journal mischaracterizes what happened and why. We used known Safari functionality to provide features that signed-in Google users had enabled. It's important to stress that these advertising cookies do not collect personal information." Smartphone user privacy fallen under the spotlight in recent weeks, as a number of applications have been found to collect user data without permission.

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