Folks,
A few months back, StatCounter was approached by an advertiser, offered lots of $$$, and asked to include a spyware cookie on all of our member sites…we refused on the spot.
You install StatCounter to track visitors to your site NOT to open yourself and your visitors up to being spied upon by phantom advertising corporations.
It appears, however, that other players in the world of webstats were happy to take up this offer…
We were shocked to discover just today that another well known stats provider is allowing up to 9 cookies to be installed in the browser of every visitor that hits one of their member websites. This means that the provider is making money by transmitting data on you and your visitors to a third party advertiser. Not only that, but to add insult to injury, the cookies are causing the member websites to load very slowly too.
In light of this, StatCounter wants to assure you that we track your visitors for you, only you and not any one else.
Which provider would you prefer??
By the way, welcome to our new blog ๐
Bravo!… Thanks for your great services and highly recommended!
Yes I would agree with other posters, Statscounter does leave tracking cookie in your browser when you visit your Statscounter data. I know this because Adaware plucks it out or you can remove it by deleting your cookies and closing your browers, then opening it again. I like SC, it gives you most detailed information of any free counter out in la la land.
But I do think, you should come clean, and tell us what, exactly your cookie is tracking and what you do with the information.
The bit about how innocent you are “we refused on the spot.” is just advertising jiggery-pokery.
StatCounter Team Response:
Hi Don,
There’s no secret about what is contained in the single StatCounter cookie.
The info about it is posted here http://my.statcounter.com/privacy.html
“To enable StatCounter.com to track your unique visitors we send a cookie to your visitors’ computer. This information is collected solely to improve the service we offer to you and statistical purposes and is not used to identify individuals.”
“we refused on the spot” – well we did … it’s not advertising speak, it’s what we did. Couldn’t really think of another way to phrase it!
StatCounter Team
Your a star!
I have used statcounter for over three years now! You not only continue to improve your software, but you look out for us as well. Given this fact, and that you are a free service to users, you are indeed a shining star!
We love you StatCounter! Stay cool! (and free).
thanks guys ๐ i wuvs you :$
Congratulations Statcounter team for your business integrity and notification. Your prompt action in saying NO to advertisers wanting to use Spyware cookies is highly commendable! Unfortunately, there are many major corporations, their high paid executives, working in concert with large ad agencies. public relations firms and their lawyers who consider business ethics to be old-fashioned when it comes to promoting their brand names. It’s such a pleasure to know that we can rely on Statcounter to be honorable and unwilling to take $$ for such underhanded deals. Keep up the excellent work– it’s much appreciated and the good will you’ve created with your skills and moral integrity will bring more satisfied customers. Irish eyes are smiling! Joan
I am glad you declined the offer. I use you primarily because of the small footprint you add to my website and the quality of the information you present me.
I would hate to stop using your service. Please keep up nthe good work.
Good for you!!! (and us!) It’s nice to see that people can and will stand up to parasites!!
Thanks ๐
It’s nice to know that there are still people out there that don’t surcome to greed over their customers needs.
Thank you so much for your support StatCounter, I hope this will rub off to other companies!!
Great news ! I’m glad you guys abide by a “do no evil” policy. I love statcounter because of it’s real time updates and I’d hate to stop using it because of that. Glad you guys made the right choice ๐
I love you guys for that… and I will be upgrading my service just as soon as my site begins to generate revenue. THANKS
No me queda nada mรกs que agradecer este gesto de cordialidad hacia los usuarios. Thank you very much statCounter!!.
You guyz rule!
And as soon as I get loads more hits ( which I hope to ) then I will be using your service for eva.
I always recommened you guys. Keep up the good work!
Murray
You guys not just have a great service, but I see also great integrity. Keep up the good work!
Good job guys! keep up the good work!
Great! I love your service and would highly reccomend it to anyone with a website.
Thanks for saying no. You guys have a great free service.
Thank you so much. Seeing things like this restores my faith in the internet and the loyalty of companies.
Thank you for saying no way! No spy cookies is one of the main reasons why I use StatCounter! Keep up the good work.
Hello team!
Thanks for making the right decision. I have several fancy log analyzers as part of my hosting, but StatCounter is the one that I always look at! I have been tempted to upgrade my log size. Knowing you did this would have made my decision for me. Trouble is, my site is totally free (donations accepted, but few people do) so all the costs to run it come out of my pocket. Programming is once again my hobby – it was my profession for a while.
Thanks again
Bill