MSc thesis presentation - Tanya Prasad

Name: Tanya Prasad

Date: Friday, Dec 5

Time: 10 am

Location: ICCS X836

Supervisors: Thomas Pasquier  and  Nguyen Phong Hoang

Title: Uncovering Global Disparities In Third-Party Ad And Tracking

Abstract: 
Third-party tracking and advertising and tracking are pervasive across the web, yet user exposure varies significantly with browser choice, geographic location, and website hosting jurisdiction. We systematically study these three factors by conducting synchronized crawls of popular websites from eight geographic vantage points using four browsers. Our analysis reveals that browser choice, user location, and hosting jurisdiction each shape tracking exposure in distinct ways. Privacy-focused browsers block more third-party trackers, particularly in permissive regulatory environments. User location influences the volume of tracking, the prevalence of consent banners, and the extent of cross-border tracking. Hosting jurisdiction plays a smaller role, as most websites tailor their behavior primarily based on the user's location. These findings underscore both the power and limitations of user agency, informing the design of privacy tools, regulatory enforcement strategies, and future measurement methodologies.