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> since browsers started to set it to "1" by default without asking

IIRC IE10 did that, to much outcry because it upended the whole DNT being an explicit choice; no other browser (including Edge) set it as a default.

There have been thoughts about using DNT (the technical communication mechanism about consent/objection) in correlation with GDPR (the legal framework to enforce consent/objection compliance)

https://www.w3.org/blog/2018/do-not-track-and-the-gdpr/

The GDPR explicitly mentions objection via technical means:

> In the context of the use of information society services, and notwithstanding Directive 2002/58/EC, the data subject may exercise his or her right to object by automated means using technical specifications.

https://law.stackexchange.com/a/90002

People like to debate as to whether DNT itself has enough meaning:

> Due to the confusion about this header's meaning, it has effectively failed.

https://law.stackexchange.com/a/90004

I myself consider DNT as what it means at face value: I do not want to be tracked, by anyone, ever. I don't know what's "confusing" about that.

The only ones that are "confused" are the ones it would be detrimental to i.e the ones that perform and extract value from the tracking, and make people run in circles with contrived explanations.

It would be perfectly trivial for a browser to pop up a permission request per website like there is for webcams or microphone or notifications, and show no popup should I elect to blanket deny through global setting.



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