Trial version Vivaldi browser supports blocking trackers

The latest test version of browser Vivaldi has been given the ability to block trackers. The software uses a blocklist from search engine maker DuckDuckGo for this. It was already possible to block trackers via an extension.

The browser uses the blocklist that DuckDuckGo uses in its Privacy Essentials extension, Vivaldi reports. That extension is available for Firefox and Chromium browsers such as Chrome, Edge and Vivaldi itself. So it is not about completely new functionality for the Vivaldi browser, but about the first decision to provide the functionality as standard. Whether and when that will come in the release version of Vivaldi is not yet known. The functionality is now in snapshot 1838.3.

Users can indicate per site with a shield icon whether trackers should be blocked. It is also possible to set this to happen at all sites via the Privacy menu. The DuckDuckGo blocklist used is public.

Vivaldi isn’t the only browser to take such a step. Mozilla has been doing the same with Firefox for some time and is working with Disconnect for this. However, Firefox also has tools to combat fingerprinting. In addition, variables such as the OS and the size of the user’s screen are collected to create a profile of the user and then track it. Google is also taking steps with Chrome to better protect users’ privacy, but is consciously doing so with less strenuous steps than Mozilla.