The Electronic Frontier Foundation is expanding its popular tracker blocking tool to Mac computers. The privacy group just released its Privacy Badger extension for Apple desktop web browsers, giving users a new way to stop companies from monitoring their online activity. This free tool has been available on other platforms for years, and now Apple users can finally add this extra layer of protection to their daily internet routine.
How the extension builds on default browser protections
Privacy Badger takes a different approach than standard ad blockers. The tool learns to identify and block hidden trackers automatically as you browse, rather than relying on a fixed list of known offenders. While Apple’s default Safari browser already limits the data third parties can see, the extension takes things a step further by completely blocking trackers from loading in the first place.
The tool is designed to target only the ads that track you across different websites. It also strips out the tracking data from outgoing links on platforms like Google and Facebook. You can use it alongside a traditional ad blocker or run it alone to support websites that display non-tracking advertisements.
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Where to get the new privacy software for your computer
You can find the new extension directly in the App Store on your Mac device. The software requires version 26.5 or later of the browser to run properly. The developers noted that adding support for Apple desktop computers was one of their most requested features.
The organization says they are currently focused on ensuring the desktop version works smoothly. Once they address any bugs on the desktop software, they plan to explore building a similar tool for mobile devices. This gives Mac users a powerful new tool to take back control of their data while surfing the web.
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