We know of sites tracking and despite denials to the contrary Facebook has been tracking information.
Google/Yahoo have also been accused of retaining information for a month.
Now the tracking seems to be done through the ‘Like’ Button.
Safety conscious Internet users are likely to avoid using this Button, thus denying the Links traffic.
Unwittingly the sites are resorting to actions that instead of increasing traffic are indirectly contributing to reduction in traffic.
Of course they, for the time being, might have temporary monetary advantage by using this information by selling personal information.
If Internet users become more Security conscious, the information sharing sites may be cooking their own goose unless they keep on devising new methods to steal personal information.
As an aside,why is it that negative news about Facebook is being brought out systematically in torrents of late?
Story:
Facebook and Google, which has a widget for its “Buzz” social-networking service, say they “anonymize” browsing data so the information is not traced to a particular user. Facebook says the data are deleted within 90 days, while Google says data are deleted within two weeks. Facebook and Google say they use the information to measure the widgets’ effectiveness and help other websites attract visitors.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704281504576329441432995616.html#ixzz1MqmgrTv4
Facebook shares your information with Strangers
http://ramanisblog.in/2011/03/03/facebook-shares-your-information-with-strangers/
These tools will help you Browse the Internet with out any Trace.
http://ramanisblog.in/2011/05/11/browse-internet-without-leaving-traces/