Democracy Dies in Darkness

87 percent of websites are tracking you. This new tool will let you run a creepiness check.

You can scan any website for privacy with the free Blacklight tool from the Markup

Perspective by
Columnist|
September 25, 2020 at 3:08 p.m. EDT
Blacklight is a free online tool from the Markup that lets you scan websites for their privacy practices. (The Markup)

How bad has privacy become on the World Wide Web? Really bad, a new audit shows.

At least 87 percent of the world’s most-popular Web domains engage in some form of digital tracking without you ever signing in, according to investigative journalism nonprofit the Markup. Many, it found, even covertly record the way you move your mouse or type. This is the hidden tech that lets companies learn who you are, what you like and even the secrets you look at online so they can tailor what you see, make ads follow you around — or even sell your information to others.