No Google Chrome Flock Tracking (module for Omeka S)
New versions of this module and support for Omeka S version 3.0 and above are available on GitLab, which seems to respect users and privacy better than the previous repository.
No Google Chrome Flock Tracking is a module for Omeka S that adds a HTTP header to invite Google not to track visitors via the browser Chrome. Indeed, with the new versions of Chrome and derivative browsers, Google steals directly your browsing history even if you forbid it, creates a profile, and gives access to it to any other tracking tool via a unique flock identifier.
Of course, this tracking is currently illegal in most of the countries, whatever Google says, but now this header is required to invite Google to respect the law (there will be a small fine in some years). More information to clean up the web or in French.
You can check your current browser on amifloced.org.
This module can be used in conjunction with the module EU Cookie Bar, that warns about the tracking by cookies when Google analytics or Facebook buttons are used to steal data of your visitors.
This module is useless if you can access to the config of your server or if you can add this in the Apache file ".htaccess" at the root of Omeka:
Header always set Permissions-Policy: interest-cohort=()
This module simply adds these lines automatically if not present, after some checks. Once installed, the module can be removed. Of course, it is better to include the line above in the main config files of Apache.
Important: The Apache module "headers" must be enabled first:
sudo a2enmod headers
sudo systemctl restart apache2
Nginx and other servers are currently not supported. You can find details of config for them here.
Note that the header must be added to any response, not only to the Omeka ones: if the assets (images, js, css…) are not protected, Google will add (or maybe not) the site in the visitor profile anyway.
Installation
See general end user documentation for installing a module.
- From the zip
Download the last release NoGoogleChromeFlockTracking.zip from the list of releases, and
uncompress it in the modules directory.
- From the source and for development
If the module was installed from the source, rename the name of the folder of
the module to NoGoogleChromeFlockTracking.
Warning
Use it at your own risk.
It’s always recommended to backup your files and your databases and to check your archives regularly so you can roll back if needed.
Troubleshooting
See online issues on the module issues page on GitLab.
License
This module is published under the CeCILL v2.1 license, compatible with GNU/GPL and approved by FSF and OSI.
This software is governed by the CeCILL license under French law and abiding by the rules of distribution of free software. You can use, modify and/ or redistribute the software under the terms of the CeCILL license as circulated by CEA, CNRS and INRIA at the following URL "http://www.cecill.info".
As a counterpart to the access to the source code and rights to copy, modify and redistribute granted by the license, users are provided only with a limited warranty and the software’s author, the holder of the economic rights, and the successive licensors have only limited liability.
In this respect, the user’s attention is drawn to the risks associated with loading, using, modifying and/or developing or reproducing the software by the user in light of its specific status of free software, that may mean that it is complicated to manipulate, and that also therefore means that it is reserved for developers and experienced professionals having in-depth computer knowledge. Users are therefore encouraged to load and test the software’s suitability as regards their requirements in conditions enabling the security of their systems and/or data to be ensured and, more generally, to use and operate it in the same conditions as regards security.
The fact that you are presently reading this means that you have had knowledge of the CeCILL license and that you accept its terms.
Copyright
- Copyright Daniel Berthereau, 2021 (see Daniel-KM on GitLab)