A developer has released a free Chrome extension to protect Gmail users from 'email open tracking'. Many newsletters and emails from commercial parties contain a tracking image that allow them to track whether you've opened (read) the e-mail or not. Data can be used to see which emails were of interest to you and this way an user profile can be generated.
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The Pixelblock extension detects the tracking attempt, removes the tracking image and replaces it with a 'red eye' image. The extension both protects you and makes you aware of the 'email open tracking' used by the sender of the email. The developer of the extension stresses that while the extension works with Gmail, it does not store, save or transmit any of your emails or computer.
