Revealing The Depths Of The Web: An Extensive Investigation Into Third-Party Http Requests Across One Million Websites
Elena Martinez
Faculty of Information Science, University of Barcelona, Spain
Abstract
In the era of pervasive information technologies, the landscape of modern society has been fundamentally reshaped by their remarkable benefits, yet it has also witnessed the emergence of extensive surveillance practices. Alan Westin, half a century ago, foresaw the potential "intolerable" nature of information technology's surveillance applications. Today, it is widely acknowledged that every new digital device, application, and social platform carries concealed privacy risks. In contrast to the cash-based transactions of the previous century, personal behavioral data has evolved into a new form of currency in the current era. Understanding individuals' online behaviors, whether it involves website browsing habits or product preferences, has become instrumental in precisely targeting products and services to individuals with specific behavioral profiles. This transformation raises profound questions about the balance between technological advancements and privacy rights in the digital age