Do Not Track (DNT)

A browser setting that signals user preference not to be tracked online. When enabled, browsers send an HTTP header requesting that websites and third-party trackers not track the user's browsing activity. DNT was intended as a simple, universal opt-out mechanism for online tracking. However, DNT largely failed because it was voluntary—websites could ignore DNT signals with no legal consequence, and industry consensus never emerged on implementation. Most websites don't honor DNT signals. Despite DNT's limited success, it represented important concepts that influenced later developments. Global Privacy Control (GPC) emerged as a more legally-binding successor to DNT, with some state laws requiring businesses to honor such signals. Organizations should understand that while DNT has limited legal weight, privacy-conscious approaches and respect for user preferences remain important. The DNT experience informed development of more effective privacy signal mechanisms.