Google, Microsoft, Meta All Tracking You Even When You Opt Out, According to an Independent Audit
Summary
An independent privacy audit in California finds that Google, Microsoft, and Meta may not honor opt-out signals, allowing tracking cookies on a majority of sites. The report highlights high non-compliance rates, questions about consent management platforms, and potential regulatory penalties, while the companies dispute the findings. A suggested fix includes returning a 451 status when opt-out signals are detected.