Protection from tracking by academic publishers

Some publishers and providers of scientific information track the research behaviour of users on their websites (so-called data tracking), create profiles and evaluate them for their own purposes without the consent of the persons concerned.

How we protect you from data tracking

The University Library uses the Hidden Automatic Navigator (HAN) as authentication technology for licensed content. This web server acts as a reverse proxy. This also means that the user does not communicate directly with the provider of online resources, but only with the HAN server of the University Library; no personal data is passed on to publishers.

The university library also utilises Shibboleth. This service allows users to check which data is sent to service providers; such data usually does not allow any identification of individuals.

Some databases require the creation of a personal user profile.

How you can protect yourself from data tracking

In addition to our authentication services, many publishers offer personal accounts, e.g. to store reading preferences and research history.

We recommend not to use these features if possible, to configure privacy settings and to read the providers’ privacy statements carefully. Generally, most academic content licensed by the University Library can be accessed without the need for personal accounts at the publishers.

To protect yourself from standard data tracking technologies used on websites, we recommend that you use the appropriate settings in your browser (e.g. Firefox Enhanced Tracking Protection and follow the advice of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.