My internet and TV provider, CableOne, has had deals with certain content providers for streaming video on demand for a while. The main services I've been using are HBOGO and CNN LIVE. They've worked in the past but lately I've been unable to get past the login screens. Then, with all the talk and blogs about Mozilla blocking 3rd party cookies by default, I thought I'd try something.
I've always set my browsers to block 3rd party cookies and data. Even MacRumors uses them. Chrome, with 3rd party cookies blocked, reports in the cookie window 21 3rd party cookies were blocked just on the front page. So I went in and unchecked the block option and bingo... streaming services started working again. I've tested Chrome, Firefox, and Safari and all 3 will not access streaming content through my provider with 3rd party cookies blocked. This includes private browsing and Chrome's Incognito mode. So it looks like CableOne is offering me an unadvertised deal... we'll let you stream all the content you want so long as we get to track your every move on the internet. Makes sense... why should Google and Amazon be the only ones?
I've read a lot of complaints on various forums of the same problem with Time Warner, Cox, and Verizon FIOS, and AT&T U-Verse. I'd bet those users have 3rd party cookies blocked.
And I've also noticed something else... with cookies allowed for the past hour, I did some browsing for a new BBQ grill at Lowe's. Mine is old and rusting and I want a bigger one anyway. Now almost every site I hit has an ad from Lowe's for a grill on sale. Apparently Amazon has access to Lowe's cookies too cuz visiting their site now brings up outdoor grills as something I might be interested in.
I've always set my browsers to block 3rd party cookies and data. Even MacRumors uses them. Chrome, with 3rd party cookies blocked, reports in the cookie window 21 3rd party cookies were blocked just on the front page. So I went in and unchecked the block option and bingo... streaming services started working again. I've tested Chrome, Firefox, and Safari and all 3 will not access streaming content through my provider with 3rd party cookies blocked. This includes private browsing and Chrome's Incognito mode. So it looks like CableOne is offering me an unadvertised deal... we'll let you stream all the content you want so long as we get to track your every move on the internet. Makes sense... why should Google and Amazon be the only ones?
I've read a lot of complaints on various forums of the same problem with Time Warner, Cox, and Verizon FIOS, and AT&T U-Verse. I'd bet those users have 3rd party cookies blocked.
And I've also noticed something else... with cookies allowed for the past hour, I did some browsing for a new BBQ grill at Lowe's. Mine is old and rusting and I want a bigger one anyway. Now almost every site I hit has an ad from Lowe's for a grill on sale. Apparently Amazon has access to Lowe's cookies too cuz visiting their site now brings up outdoor grills as something I might be interested in.