Pinterest introduces support for Do Not Track privacy feature
The site will offer suggested pins by tracking user data, but it says it will stop tracking users' online activity if they choose to turn on the browser-based privacy measure.
Pinterest is offering suggested pins and boards to its users based on their online activity, but it's added support for the browser-based Do Not Track security feature in case users don't want their data tracked, the company announced in a blog post Friday.
Do Not Track is a browser setting users can choose if they don't want Web sites to track their online activity. It prevents a site from tracking certain data, like what other Web pages you visit. The feature works only if a site supports it, but companies have been slowly coming on board. Twitter implemented support for the feature last year.
Pinterest said it's using the data it does collect to better recommend pins and boards to users, and it's also included an edit button to let users customize their home feeds. But the company is careful to emphasize that users have the choice to opt out.
"If you're interested, we'll also suggest personalized pins and boards based on Web sites you go to that have the Pin It button. So if you're planning a party and have gone to lots of party sites recently, we'll try to suggest boards to make your event a hit. You can learn more about personalized pins and boards in our Help Center or updated privacy policy," software engineer Ke Chen wrote in the blog post. "We're excited to give everyone a more personalized experience, but we also understand if you're not interested! We support Do Not Track, and you can change your account settings anytime."