csp.withgoogle.com: How Google Tracks Security Policy Violations

Google’s tracker, csp.withgoogle.com, is tied to Content Security Policy (CSP) reporting. It collects data on security violations from websites, but this process invades your privacy by logging details about your online activity. Here’s what it does and how to shield yourself.

What Is csp.withgoogle.com?

This domain is part of Google’s infrastructure for monitoring CSP violations on websites. While it’s meant to catch security issues, it also gathers data about your browsing behavior, which can be used to profile you. As Privacy Auditors, we want you to know how this tracker operates behind the scenes.

Data It Collects

When you visit a site using Google’s CSP tools, it captures:

• IP Address: Pinpoints your location through your digital address.
• Content Security Policy Violations: Logs specific security issues on the site.
• Browser Details: Records your browser type, like Chrome 120.0.
• Page URL: Captures the exact web address where the issue occurred.
• Referrer URL: Tracks where you came from before landing on the page.
• Timestamps: Logs every event with exact timing.

This data builds a picture of your online habits, which can be tied back to you.

Who Gets Your Data?

Your information is shared with:

• Website Owner: The site using Google’s tools gets reports on violations.
• Google: Uses the data for its broader analytics and profiling systems.
• Adtech Company: Through Google’s real-time bidding (RTB) system, sharing geolocation and device IDs.
• Government Entity: Per Google’s 2024 transparency report, data like IP addresses is shared in 80% of U.S. law enforcement requests.

How to Protect Yourself

At Privacy Auditors, we’re here to guard your privacy. Here’s how to block this tracker:

• Use Tracker Blockers: Tools like Privacy Auditor’s paid service can stop scripts from csp.withgoogle.com.
• Browse with a VPN: Hide your IP address with a VPN like Mullvad.
• Choose Privacy Browsers: Use Firefox with strict tracking protection or Tor Browser.
• Disable JavaScript: Block scripts via browser settings or tools like NoScript, though some sites may not work.

Combine these steps for stronger defense against invasive tracking.

Sources

• Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Google Transparency Report: https://transparencyreport.google.com/

This is a legal disclaimer. All information is provided for educational purposes only.