YouTube adding tracking parameter to share URLs

[imyavetra]

YouTube has started adding a unique 'source identifier' when you share a video; post such a link here, or anywhere else and Google may be able to trace it back to you and link your Google account with other online identities.

Example link (tracking parameter in bold): youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ?si=YjziZuccJeIE-b6z

Discussion on Brave browser Github:

... From what I've seen, the si param is meant to be some kind of unique tracking param based on who, from which page, and how the link was shared for more detailed analytics. It changes almost every time you click share.

And a Twitter source.

Tracking people through links isn't exactly new, but it's better to be aware that it's happening than not.

[horzuff]

facebook, messenger and all of meta does it too. Whenever I copy links from any of the social media I prune the tracking bull manure, good both for privacy and ease of reading (esp. the meta ids are absurdly long and make the links barely legible)

[vivi]

facebook, messenger and all of meta does it too. Whenever I copy links from any of the social media I prune the tracking bull manure, good both for privacy and ease of reading (esp. the meta ids are absurdly long and make the links barely legible)

best option for now if you know how.

Here's how I'd share OP's link for example

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

[shunsui]

If you're interested in avoiding being tracked, this is a basic introduction to how it's done. It's a lot of hoops to jump through.

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Invisibility ... 0316380504