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“Anonymous” is misleading because the user’s IP, user agent and browser fingerprint is also transmitted.

All of these can be correlated with other requests including search queries themselves.

If that’s all the identifying data and it is discarded, then it’s anonymous.

We don’t know they’re using it. We don’t know they’re not using it either.

But the fact that it’s sent doesn’t mean it’s used.

The fact client data is being sent is enough reason to believe they are using it, regardless of unknown internal workings of the business. I don't think benefit of the doubt should apply to privacy or security with companies operating on the net. We know how they make their money and offer 'free services'.

>> “Anonymous” is misleading because the user’s IP, user agent and browser fingerprint is also transmitted.

> If that’s all the identifying data and it is discarded, then it’s anonymous.

So by that standard google analytics is also "anonymous"?

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