News
Abine responds to media: announces Facebook tracking protection giveaway for first 100,000
Cambridge, MA – November 17th, 2011 Abine, Inc., The Online Privacy Company, announced that due to recent media coverage and an influx of concerned users, it is accelerating the release of its social network and privacy protection software Do Not Track Plus. Abine will immediately give away up to 100,000 pre-release licenses to customers who can download them from http://www.donottrackplus.com/giveaway.php
Do Not Track Plus allows users to use Facebook, share what they like, and avoid being tracked.
“Due to recent media coverage, we are seeing huge spikes in calls, emails, and requests from users reading about Facebook and other companies tracking them on the internet,” said Bill Kerrigan, president and CEO of Abine. “Users are asking us if their visits are being tracked and their personal information is being recorded even when they’re not logged in or they don’t have an account with these services. They want to know what’s going on and how to get control back over their personal data.”
Quick Facts:
- Over 900,000 sites have integrated the Facebook Like button technology
- Facebook receives over 1.1 billion likes each day (and this number is growing fast)
- Like buttons can be used for tracking consumers even when they’re not on Facebook
Only a tiny fraction of all consumers (estimated at well under 1%) who see Like buttons actually click on them, yet regardless of whether they click, they are being tracked and their data is being collected and stored for use by Facebook. See Abine’s infographic on how this technology works.
Media coverage of growing trend::
More coverage in the mainstream media over the last 30 days is causing consumer concern:
- 11/16/11 - USA Today – Byron Acohido: “Facebook Tracking is Under Scrutiny”
- 11/16/11 - LA Times – Jessica Guyn: “Lawmaker wants hearing on Facebook tracking”
- 11/2/11 - San Jose Mercury News – Jeremy Owens: “Facebook cookies remain with users after account canceled”
- 10/28/11 – Fox News – Gene Koprowski: “Facebook building shadow profiles of users”
- 9/27/11 – New York Times – Riva Richmond: “As Like buttons spread, so do Facebooks tentacles”
In many articles, however, solutions are hard to find – especially ones that enable consumers to use Facebook and other social technologies as they normally would while avoiding unnecessary tracking.
How can consumers protect themselves?
Consumers can use a variety of new tools to get the most out of Facebook and still protect themselves from its aggressive tracking and monitoring. Effective today, Abine will give away up to 100,000 pre-release licenses to the first to download and protect themselves: http://www.donottrackplus.com/giveaway.php
About Abine:
Abine, Inc. The Online Privacy Company, is the leading provider of online privacy solutions for consumers. Abine's PrivacySuite products and DeleteMe privacy subscription services allow regular people to regain control over their personal information while continuing to browse, interact, and shop online.Contacts
Abine Public RelationsSarah Downey, Abine Public Relations, +1.617-425-0024
sarah@getabine.com