Websites can collect information about your device and online activity. Global Privacy Control (GPC) gives you a way to tell sites that you want to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal data, without setting up that preference separately on every site.
What GPC does--and what it doesn't
GPC is a browser signal sent through a web request and a JavaScript setting. Participating websites can use it to recognize your privacy choice. Unlike an ad blocker, it does not stop trackers or prevent a site from collecting information for its own use; it communicates your preference while leaving site features intact.
How well it works depends on both the browser and the website. Some privacy rules require businesses to respect qualifying opt-out signals, and California's Opt Me Out Act is set to require browsers to provide a way to send one starting January 1, 2027. GPC is a request, not a guarantee that every site will comply.
Enabling GPC in major browsers
Brave and DuckDuckGo: GPC is generally enabled by default. In Brave, check the browser's privacy settings to confirm the signal is active. DuckDuckGo users can look for a GPC-detected notice on its privacy-control page; the signal may be sent selectively on some devices.
Firefox: Open Settings, go to Privacy & Security, and find the option labeled "Tell websites not to sell or share my data." Turn it on. The setting may appear under additional protections or enhanced tracking protection, depending on your device.
Chrome and Edge: These browsers may require an extension that supports GPC, such as Privacy Badger or DuckDuckGo's privacy extension. Install the extension from the browser's official add-on store and review its permissions.
Safari: Built-in GPC support can vary, so check the current privacy settings and available extensions for your device.
A practical privacy choice
GPC is a lightweight way to express an opt-out preference, while blockers actively restrict some tracking technologies and may affect how websites function. Using GPC can make privacy choices easier to communicate; broader adoption by browsers and websites could make those choices more consistent online.
