One common method for tracking users online is to include tracking parameters in a URL, which allow server operators to easily follow a user across and within sites. Tracking parameters are commonly added in by bulk email senders, social media sites, search engines, and shopping sites, but they are not necessary for a site to work correctly and can be safely stripped away. The ClearURLs browser extension employs a list of more than 250 rules to detect and remove a wide variety of common and not-so-common tracking parameters. In addition to enhancing user privacy, this extension produces markedly shorter URLs that are easier to send in email, instant messages, and text messages. For example, an Amazon link that is five lines long with tracking parameters fits on a single line without them. ClearURLs is available as an extension for Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge.
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