Ask HN: Is clearing browser data (cookies, cache, history) enough?

1 givemeethekeys 5 7/19/2025, 4:17:55 AM
I'd like to stop having to accept / reject every privacy pop up that shows up.

I have an idea:

1) Find (or build) a browser plugin that auto-accepts all GDPR and tracking pop-ups.

2) Set my browser to clear all data when I close the browser.

3) Always browse in Incognito mode.

I'm thinking of following the above steps instead of spending the time to Reject All tracking on each website I encounter.

I was wondering if you think my idea is dumb, incomplete, or something else.

Thank you!

Comments (5)

doctor_radium · 5h ago
I use the Consent-O-Matic addon to auto-process cookie consent popups. (I believe that's how it works.) uBlock Origin could then be used to handle the sites that lie or don't offer a choice at all.
WarOnPrivacy · 6h ago
Ublock Origin is good at blocking cookie notices, modals, etc - when used w/ a non-exploitive browser.

That's if set-and-forget is more your thing than tinkering. Nothing wrong with the latter.

givemeethekeys · 6h ago
I did not know that about uBlock Origin! I use it with Firefox. I'll dig into the settings. Thank you!
WarOnPrivacy · 5h ago
Dashboard -> Filter Lists -> Cookie Notices (check 4 of 4)
davydm · 4h ago
Try the "I don't care about cookies" addon, paired with "cookie auto-delete".

The first should swipe away most of those silly overlays for you.

The second is configurable to either forget cookies after the tab is closed, remember for this session, or whitelist to keep them as long as they're valid (useful to stay signed in on sites between browser restarts)