Does TPU use Google-Tracking?

[Liberte]

uBlockOrigin shows me a blocked connection every time i visit techpowerup, that's www.googletagmanager.com
It is also possible that techpowerup.com shares data with tpucdn.com which has a connection to another server, that is www.google-analytics.com (tracking request)
Why does TPU make connections to google?

I have read the privacy policy and terms of service, it's short, easy to understand and looks almost trustworthy. What doesn't look trustworthy are the connections to google.
I'll quote

Privacy policy

You must accept this policy before using the site.

www.techpowerup.com

here, "Your IP address is recorded when you perform certain actions on our site. Your IP address is never publicly visible."
My question, does this exclude sharing a users IP adress with third-parties such as google?
Another quote from https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/help/terms/ "All Content you submit or upload may be sent to third-party verification services (including, but not limited to, spam prevention services). Do not submit any Content that you consider to be private or confidential."

As i've said before, the privacy policy & terms of service appear to have no evil intent, what particularly caught my attention are the google-connections, it is disturbing that a major part of the internet has these connections, if it's not for tracking purposes it's still shocking just how heavily websites rely on google.
Particularly the phrase "These terms may be changed at any time without notice." found in the terms of service could be used for evil intent at any time in the future.
TLDR; privacypolicy & termsofservice seem legitimate, but what's the matter with googletagmanager and googleanalytics!?!

 

[W1zzard]

We use Google Analytics, for logging and statistics, not to track you. All IP addresses are anonymized before they leave your browser and are sent to Google

Apparently the forum software loads Google Analytics through Google Tag: https://developers.google.com/tag-platform/gtagjs/install

 

[Liberte]

Google is evil no doubt about it. I'd avoid it whenever possible. Anyways this isn't going to change anything, just want to ask have you considered using privacy friendly alternatives to google-analytics and what holds web developers back from doing so?

https://alternativeto.net/software/google-analytics/

Respect to gamersnexus, their website runs flawless - without javascript. Would be to nice if other web developers took them as an inspiration.

Homepage, Most Recent | GamersNexus

gamersnexus.net

 

[natr0n]

I just learned in ublock you can click more more more or less less less and it gives more info and less info till its just an icon

like an easter egg

 

[Selaya]

:thinking:

 

[A Computer Guy]

Google is evil no doubt about it. I'd avoid it whenever possible. Anyways this isn't going to change anything, just want to ask have you considered using privacy friendly alternatives to google-analytics and what holds web developers back from doing so?

https://alternativeto.net/software/google-analytics/

Respect to gamersnexus, their website runs flawless - without javascript. Would be to nice if other web developers took them as an inspiration.

Homepage, Most Recent | GamersNexus

gamersnexus.net

It does have some javascript.

 

[Frick]

I'd avoid it whenever possible.

At this point this is like avoiding dangerous exhaust gasses and particles. Possible, but it'll be really annoying for you.

 

[Liberte]

At this point this is like avoiding dangerous exhaust gasses and particles. Possible, but it'll be really annoying for you.

It's not annoying at all. I don't use any google service. Life is better and simpler.

 

[Frick]

It's not annoying at all. I don't use any google service. Life is better and simpler.

... you are using Google services, unless you block all their stuff in your firewall.

 

[Liberte]

... you are using Google services, unless you block all their stuff in your firewall.

... which is exactly what i do.

 

[Frick]

... which is exactly what i do.

Really? Tell me more then as to what the everyday Internet experience is. What streaming services do you use? Reddit? Airbnb? Random googling? Random reviews of random products on random sites? Stores? What search engine do you use? What phone do you use? Captchas?

 

[ShiBDiB]

This is always such a dumb argument.

Yes you should limit the exposure of your information.

Yes you will assume some exposure if you use the internet in any manner.

It's like politics, the people on the extremes are morons for different reason, find somewhere in the middle and then shut the f up about it.

 

[Selaya]

it's actually quite feasible to live a google-free life; the only service of theirs i make use of semi-regularly is youtube but it works pretty fine w/ tor so

 

[W1zzard]

have you considered

Of course, I don't like Google, or any 3rd parties either.. the problem is that many 3rd parties will insist on Google Analytics to assess how big TPU is. Like when we need access to tradeshows etc

gamersnexus, their website runs flawless - without javascript

uh no .. the site uses JS, it loads Google Tag Manager, Google Fonts, Matomo stats, YouTube embed, Google Play Store, Google Ads by Doubleclick

Doubleclick tracks you 100%, Play Store and YT embed probably, too

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Thank you for not having dumbass doubleclick hehe

 

[Liberte]

@Frick
My everyday internet experience is free of ads and peaceful.
I dont pay for any streaming service neither do i use reddit or airbnb.
As for search engine i recommend searxng, https://searx.space/
My phone is degoogled, besides i use it maybe once a month.

@Selaya
Have you seen https://redirect.invidious.io/
https://yewtu.be is one of the instances.

@W1zzard
I was wrong, you are right gamersnexus uses javascript and google-tracking.
Either this is new or i was missinformed, it's bad news either way.
Not happy that TPU uses googletagmanager+analytics but i agree with ThrashZone, thanks for not having BS doubleklick.

 

[ThrashZone]

Of course, I don't like Google, or any 3rd parties either.. the problem is that many 3rd parties will insist on Google Analytics to assess how big TPU is. Like when we need access to tradeshows etc


uh no .. the site uses JS, it loads Google Tag Manager, Google Fonts, Matomo stats, YouTube embed, Google Play Store, Google Ads by Doubleclick

Doubleclick tracks you 100%, Play Store and YT embed probably, too

Hi,
I noticed elevenforum.com started using fuseplatform.net instead of google sludgeware have you ever read about it ?
I guess this is it

Fuse Programmatic Advertising Platform - Publift

Fuse is the ultimate upgrade to ad management. Our proprietary Fuse tag seamlessly integrates our technology onto your website. More than just a piece of code, it’s an all-in-one solution working behind the scenes to supercharge your website's revenue and performance.

www.publift.com

Still has other sludge to though

 

[Easy Rhino]

@W1zzard
I was wrong, you are right gamersnexus uses javascript and google-tracking.
Either this is new or i was missinformed, it's bad news either way.
Not happy that TPU uses googletagmanager+analytics but i agree with ThrashZone, thanks for not having BS doubleklick.

I'm happy W1z does not submit to all the advertising crap that is out there. I actually allow ads when I visit this site He has done a great job!

 

[Tahagomizer]

Really? Tell me more then as to what the everyday Internet experience is. What streaming services do you use? Reddit? Airbnb? Random googling? Random reviews of random products on random sites? Stores? What search engine do you use? What phone do you use? Captchas?

I can answer that. I don't use any streaming service. I consider Reddit to be a form of cancer, never used AirBnB - and don't intend to, especially since a friend found hidden cameras in a rented room, on more than one occasion -, reviews on the Internet are worthless and paying attention to them is a waste of time. I use different search engines depending on the purpose, anonymized as much as is reasonable. My Android phone is rooted, debloated, degoogled and firewalled.
All in all, it's an uneventful Internet existence. No ads, no distractions, things just work.

All in all, always assume you are being tracked and fingerprinted.

Not saying it's used for fingerprinting here, probably isn't. Just saying, corporations will not rest until every second of your life is a commodity they can profit from.

 

[Liberte]

@Tahagomizer Exactly. 100%

 

[Jetster]

it's actually quite feasible to live a google-free life; the only service of theirs i make use of semi-regularly is youtube but it works pretty fine w/ tor so

My brother tries and insist on not using Google, then calls me asking how he can backup all the photos on his phone ? Typical Unplug from the internet, it's the only way to be sure

 

[ThrashZone]

My brother tries and insist on not using Google, then calls me asking how he can backup all the photos on his phone ? Typical Unplug from the internet, it's the only way to be sure

Hi,
That wouldn't be odd if he is using a apple device hehe

 

[outpt]

Of course, I don't like Google, or any 3rd parties either.. the problem is that many 3rd parties will insist on Google Analytics to assess how big TPU is. Like when we need access to tradeshows etc


uh no .. the site uses JS, it loads Google Tag Manager, Google Fonts, Matomo stats, YouTube embed, Google Play Store, Google Ads by Doubleclick

Doubleclick tracks you 100%, Play Store and YT embed probably, too

Holy cow Batman no wonder the internet runs badly!

 

[mechtech]

This is always such a dumb argument.

Yes you should limit the exposure of your information.

Yes you will assume some exposure if you use the internet in any manner.

It's like politics, the people on the extremes are morons for different reason, find somewhere in the middle and then shut the f up about it.

Extremes...............morons (aka stupid people)
Well according to Cipolla's table

 

[ty_ger]

Respect to gamersnexus, their website runs flawless - without javascript. Would be to nice if other web developers took them as an inspiration.

Homepage, Most Recent | GamersNexus

gamersnexus.net

I'm on my phone, so can't verify, but it sure looks like they are using javascript to me. Maybe not 'malicious', but that scrolling bar at the top of the page sure makes me think they are using javascript.