Re: How-To: Disabling the Location-Aware Browsing with GNU IceCat 3.5...

[Ludovic Courtès]

Hi,

al3xu5 / dotcommon <address@hidden> writes:

> I think location-aware browsing might be a serious risk for privacy.

I find it risky, too.  However, the documentation mentions that the
browser asks you before sending location information.

> When you visit a location-aware website, the browser (since version
> 3.5) will ask you where you are in order to bring you more relevant
> information, or to save you time while searching. If you consent,
> Google Location Services is used to determine your location by sending:
>     * your computer's IP address,
>     * information about the nearby wireless access points, and
>     * a random client identifier (a cookie), which is assigned by
>       Google, that expires every 2 weeks. 

*This* is another concern: the browser effectively ends up using
proprietary software, which in turn consults proprietary databases, both
centralized in a single administrative domain.

Thanks,
Ludo'.