Googler Quits To Build Browser To Block Google Tracking

TechCrunch reports Brian Kennish, a former Googler, quit Google a few weeks ago in order to build a browser that essentially blocks Google from tracking you. He is now actively building Disconnect, “a browser extension for Chrome and Rockmelt that disables multiple third party data tracking while browsing.” Brian explained why he left Google to […]

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TechCrunch reports Brian Kennish, a former Googler, quit Google a few weeks ago in order to build a browser that essentially blocks Google from tracking you.

He is now actively building Disconnect, “a browser extension for Chrome and Rockmelt that disables multiple third party data tracking while browsing.” Brian explained why he left Google to do this:

I called it quits at Google three weeks ago so I could help web users better understand the data they’re unintentionally sharing and develop tools that make it simple for them to control this data (I’ve been referring to this effort as Web 2.1, a privacy patch for the web).

This is an interesting quote from him which can be interpreted two ways:

(1) He finds a lot of opportunity in privacy.

(2) He was scared by how much Google and Facebook know about you.

(3) Or Both.


About the author

Barry Schwartz
Staff
Barry Schwartz is a technologist and a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land and a member of the programming team for SMX events. He owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics.

In 2019, Barry was awarded the Outstanding Community Services Award from Search Engine Land, in 2018 he was awarded the US Search Awards the "US Search Personality Of The Year," you can learn more over here and in 2023 he was listed as a top 50 most influential PPCer by Marketing O'Clock.

Barry can be followed on X here and you can learn more about Barry Schwartz over here or on his personal site.

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