[v. 8] YouTube doesn't remember watch history when not signed in

[yokoffing]

Description

YouTube does not remember search history or homepage suggestions unless "Trust Site" is activated. The condition applies if the user is not logged into YouTube.

When not logged into YouTube: Ghostery makes YouTube forget all user settings and history with each browser restart. No ads show.

When not logged into YouTube, but "Trust Site" is activated: YouTube remembers the user's customizations, settings, watch history, and homepage suggestions. Ads show.

If the user disables the "Trust Website" setting, their preferences are forgotten with each browser restart.

This can be seen as a good thing from a tracking perspective; but from a casual user perspective, this is likely seen as unintended behavior.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Firefox browser
2. Go to youtube.com
3. Watch a video; Disable autoplay videos in YouTube settings.
4. Restart Firefox browser
5. Notice autoplay does not remain disabled on YouTube homepage
6. Homepage suggestions are not influenced previous YouTube search history

Versions

• Firefox
• Ghostery v.8.11.1
• OS: Windows 10

[GRadziejewski]

I can reproduce a part with autoplay, but not with search history.

[SDunston]

Hello, are you still having this issue? Im still trying to reproduce with search history but no luck

[Wku059]

Hi,

I initiated this via Ghostery support. The problem persists. It applies to some other websites as well, as if Ghostery was blocking certain data or cookies from saving, hence "cleaning up" each time after the browser is restarted,