Additional Information

Privacy Badger automatically learns to block invisible trackers!

Latest Version Privacy Badger
Requirements

Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 10/Windows 11

Updated June 24, 2023
Author EFF
Category Firewalls and Security
License Open Source
Language English
Download 13

Overview

Privacy Badger is a highly intuitive, free, and open-source browser extension developed by Electronic Frontier Foundation for Chrome browser. Like many other products created by this non-profit digital rights group, this browser extension aims to protect your privacy on the internet by detecting and automatically learning how to block advertisements, tracking cookies, and other tracking services that do not respect “Do Not Track” setting found in modern web browsers.

Originally released in 2014, this security-focused browser extension has learned how to detect tracking services in websites you visit and offer you both automatic and manual options for handling such tracking requests. For example, with this web browser app, you can monitor the presence of trackers placed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, and other social network and analytics giants, but also the presence of some unknown trackers. Privacy Badger showcases both active and potentially harmful tracking services and domain services that do not appear to track you, with notification icons that signify what level of blocking is used (total block, moderate block, and unrestricted use).

To best take advantage of Privacy Badger’s blocking capabilities, you first need to start using it for a while. During that initial period, It will send additional “Do Not Track” signals to websites you visit, and if they disobey those requests, only then they will be put on the list of restricted services.
 
In addition to actively blocking aggressive services, It will also remove outgoing link click tracking on Facebook, Google, and Twitter, providing you enhanced online privacy by not allowing those social network and analytics sites to track your online habits even if you are not logged into their servers.

Privacy Badger is 100% FREE for use, and it does not feature any in-app advertisements, upgrades, or subscriptions. It does encourage memberships and donations to the EFF.

Installation and Use

Privacy Badger can be installed in mere seconds by clicking on the “Add to Chrome” button on Chrome Web Store. After installation is complete, a new icon of a small Badger will appear in your taskbar on the top-right section of your Chrome browser. If the app detects badly behaving tracking service, it will block it and showcase a notification number beside Badger Icon. By clicking on that icon, you will be presented with the list of the blocked and allowed trackers, with the option for disabling Privacy Badger on a currently active website, Report Broken site, and access to the Preferences area.

The app is very easy to use, it features a simple and intuitive interface, and allows users to customize the way blocking of data trackers is done for each individual website.

Features and Highlights
  • One of the most popular privacy tools developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
  • Protect your privacy from online trackers that fail to respect the “Do Not Track” option in modern browsers.
  • Fully integrated into the Chrome browser, with the per-site configuration for detected trackers.
  • Lightweight and fast.
  • Removes outgoing link click tracking placed by Facebook, Google, Twitter, and others.
  • Translated to 21 international languages.
  • 100% FREE!



Previous versions More »

Privacy Badger June 24, 2023 1.1 MB