From Libraries to Schools: Why Organizations Should Install Privacy Badger

​​In an era of pervasive online surveillance, organizations have an important role to play in protecting their communities’ privacy. Millions of people browse the web on computers provided by their schools, libraries, and employers. By default, popular browsers on these computers leave people exposed to hidden trackers.

Organizations can enhance privacy and security on their devices by installing Privacy Badger, EFF’s free, open source browser extension that automatically blocks trackers. Privacy Badger is already used by millions to fight online surveillance and take back control of their data.

Why Should Organizations Install Privacy Badger on Managed Devices?

Protect People from Online Surveillance

Most websites contain hidden trackers that let advertisers, data brokers, and Big Tech companies monitor people’s browsing activity. This surveillance has serious consequences: it fuels scams, government spying, predatory advertising, and surveillance pricing. 

By installing Privacy Badger on managed devices, organizations can protect entire communities from these harms. Most people don’t realize the risks of browsing the web unprotected. Organizations can step in to make online privacy available to everyone, not just the people who know they need it. 

Ad Blocking is a Cybersecurity Best Practice

Privacy Badger helps reduce cybersecurity threats by blocking ads that track you (unfortunately, that’s most ads these days). Targeted ads aren’t just a privacy nightmare. They can also be a vehicle for malware and phishing attacks. Cybercriminals have tricked legitimate ad networks into distributing malware, a tactic known as malvertising.

The risks are serious enough that the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends federal agencies deploy ad-blocking software. The NSA, CIA, and other intelligence agencies already follow this guidance. These agencies are using advertising systems to surveil others, but blocking ads for their own employees. 

All organizations, not just spy agencies, should make ad blocking part of their security strategy.

A Tracker Blocker You Can Trust

Four million users already trust Privacy Badger, which has been recommended by The New York Times’ Wirecutter, Consumer Reports, and The Washington Post.

Trust is crucial when choosing an ad-blocking or tracker-blocking extension because they require high levels of browser permissions. Unfortunately, not all extensions deserve that trust. Avast’s “privacy” extension was caught collecting and selling users’ browsing data to third parties—the very practice it claimed to prevent.

Privacy Badger is different. EFF released it over a decade ago, and the extension has been open-source—meaning other developers and researchers can inspect its code—that entire time. Built by a nonprofit with a 35-year history fighting for user rights, organizations can trust that Privacy Badger works for its users, not for profit. 

Which organizations should deploy Privacy Badger?

All of them! Installing Privacy Badger on managed devices improves privacy and security across an organization. That said, Privacy Badger is most beneficial for two types of organizations: libraries and schools. Both can better serve their communities by safeguarding the computers they provide.

Libraries

The American Library Association (ALA) already recommends installing Privacy Badger on public computers to block third-party tracking. Librarians have a long history of defending privacy. The ALA’s guidance is a natural extension of that legacy for the digital age. While librarians protect the privacy of books people check out, Privacy Badger protects the privacy of websites they visit on library computers. 

Millions of Americans depend on libraries for internet access. That makes libraries uniquely positioned to promote equitable access to private browsing. With Privacy Badger, libraries can ensure that safe and private browsing is the default for anyone using their computers. 

Libraries also play a key role in promoting safe internet use through their digital literacy trainings. By including Privacy Badger in these trainings, librarians can teach patrons about a simple, free tool that protects their privacy and security online.

Schools

Schools should protect their students’ from online surveillance by installing Privacy Badger on computers they provide. Parents are rightfully worried about their children’s privacy online, with a Pew survey showing 85% worry about advertisers using data about what kids do online to target ads. Deploying Privacy Badger is a concrete step schools can take to address these concerns. 

By blocking online trackers, schools can protect students from manipulative ads and limit the personal data fueling social media algorithms. Privacy Badger can even block tracking in Ed Tech products that schools require students to use. Alarmingly, a Human Rights Watch analysis of Ed Tech products found that 89% shared children’s personal data with advertisers or other companies.

Instead of deploying invasive student monitoring tools, schools should keep students safe by keeping their data safe. Students deserve to learn without being tracked, profiled, and targeted online. Privacy Badger can help make that happen.

How can organizations deploy Privacy Badger on managed devices?

System administrators can deploy and configure Privacy Badger on managed devices by setting up an enterprise policy. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge provide instructions for automatically installing extensions organization-wide. You’ll be able to configure certain Privacy Badger settings for all devices. For example, you can specify websites where Privacy Badger is disabled or prevent Privacy Badger’s welcome page from popping up on computers that get reset after every session. 

We recommend educating users about the addition of Privacy Badger and what it does. Since some websites deeply embed tracking, privacy protections can occasionally break website functionality. For example, a video might not play or a comments section might not appear. If this happens, users should know that they can easily turn off Privacy Badger on any website. Just open the Privacy Badger popup and click “Disable for this site.” 

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in deploying Privacy Badger at scale. Our team is here to help you protect your community’s privacy. And if you’re already deploying Privacy Badger across your organization, we’d love to hear how it’s going! 

Make Private Browsing the Default at Your Organization

Schools, libraries, and other organizations can make private browsing the norm by deploying Privacy Badger on devices they manage. If you work at an organization with managed devices, talk to your IT team about Privacy Badger. You can help strengthen the security and privacy of your entire organization while joining the fight against online surveillance.