Web users get easy delete option for Flash ‘cookies’

US— So long, super-cookie. Adobe’s newest version of Flash Player includes, as promised, the ability to delete local shared objects (LSOs), commonly referred to as Flash cookies, from within a web browser’s privacy settings.

Previously, LSO settings could only be managed through the Flash Player Settings Manager, but privacy advocates complained many web users found that difficult to locate (requiring a right-click on Flash content and selecting ‘global settings’ from a menu).

The use of LSOs by publishers and marketers to track people’s web behaviour drew the attention of privacy campaigners after academics showed the technology could be used to restore HTML cookies intentionally deleted by users – thus circumventing their privacy wishes.

However, research published by Carnegie Mellon University researchers earlier this year suggested respawning activity was not increasing, and may in fact be on the wane.

We hope you enjoyed this article.
Research Live is published by MRS.

The Market Research Society (MRS) exists to promote and protect the research sector, showcasing how research delivers impact for businesses and government.

Members of MRS enjoy many benefits including tailoured policy guidance, discounts on training and conferences, and access to member-only content.

For example, there's an archive of winning case studies from over a decade of MRS Awards.

Find out more about the benefits of joining MRS here.

0 Comments


Display name

Email

Join the discussion

Newsletter
Stay connected with the latest insights and trends...
Sign Up
Latest From MRS

Our latest training courses

Our new 2025 training programme is now launched as part of the development offered within the MRS Global Insight Academy

See all training

Specialist conferences

Our one-day conferences cover topics including CX and UX, Semiotics, B2B, Finance, AI and Leaders' Forums.

See all conferences

MRS reports on AI

MRS has published a three-part series on how generative AI is impacting the research sector, including synthetic respondents and challenges to adoption.

See the reports

Progress faster...
with MRS 
membership

Mentoring

CPD/recognition

Webinars

Codeline

Discounts