Methods and apparatus for blocking usage tracking

#The present invention relates generally to blocking usage tracking from websites. More particularly, this invention relates to dynamically detecting usage tracking from websites and adjusting local storage mechanisms provided for these websites to block usage tracking across different types of data.

#With the increase in the popularity of the web (or World Wide Web), more and more websites are tracking user activities browsing the web for legitimate or illegitimate reasons, such as targeted advertisements or privacy theft. Hidden websites may perform usage tracking in the background unknown to a user while the user visits a seemingly unrelated website. As a result, user privacy can be seriously compromised.

#Typically, websites rely on local data storage in a device for usage tracking. For example, browser cookie is commonly used as a local storage mechanism for websites to store tracking data. Traditional privacy management tools are largely based on managing, for example, browser cookies. However, as technologies evolve, browsers are constantly updated to support new mechanisms for local storage. Thus, new opportunities of usage tracking may open up, intentionally or unintentionally, for websites to take advantage of. As a result, these traditional privacy management tools may give only a false sense of security without keeping up with the newly available mechanisms for usage tracking.

#The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of network systems with unified tracking data management;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system for blocking usage tracking;

#Methods and apparatuses for blocking usage tracking are described herein. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide thorough explanation of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description.

#Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

#The processes depicted in the figures that follow, are performed by processing logic that comprises hardware (e.g. circuitry, dedicated logic, etc.), software (such as is run on a general-purpose computer system or a dedicated machine), or a combination of both. Although the processes are described below in terms of some sequential operations, it should be appreciated that some of the operations described may be performed in different order. Moreover, some operations may be performed in parallel rather than sequentially.