Setting extensions.adblockplus.savestats to false in about:config should clear any already saved stats - I just tested and it doesn't do it when the pref is changed nor on browser startup.
I think this pref should be monitored, and if set to false the existing hits should be cleared. Some less knowledgeable people are going to see this preference, change it, and not realise that their existing history will be saved.
[Done] Setting "savestats" pref to false should clear hit
I'm annoyed with myself that I didn't think of that use caseWladimir Palant wrote:In particular, somebody might want to disable statistics temporarily.
I think, given the privacy issues, that the "Don't collect statistics" pref should really be surfaced visibly in the UI.
Perhaps when this is checked (but not when unchecked) a "yes/no" popup could be shown asking the user if they wish to also clear any existing hit statistics - that would solve this the issue of clearing existing stats from both sides I think, and also make it easier for the users you mentioned to temporarily disable it too.
I think this is a reasonably significant privacy issue and needs the appropriate visibility.
Thanks again for your thoughtful response.
Re: [Roadmap] Setting "savestats" pref to false should clear hit
Added to Adblock Plus 1.4 roadmap, this can be done along with the Preferences dialog redesign.
Re: [Done] Setting "savestats" pref to false should clear hit
Done: https://hg.adblockplus.org/adblockplus/rev/d81e39328b50
This change will be part of the next development build (will be available in 25 minutes).
This change will be part of the next development build (will be available in 25 minutes).