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Yes—retailers can track products left unpurchased in an online cart, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported in January 2025 that such behavior may be used to tailor prices. But the FTC described this as an initial staff finding from an ongoing study, not proof that every retailer tracks every cart. The reviewed evidence also does not establish that retailers generally sell cart contents.
What the FTC says retailers can learn from cart activity
In an initial staff perspective published in January 2025, the FTC said retailers can track online behavior—including mouse movements and products left unpurchased in carts—and use those signals to tailor prices. The agency said its study was ongoing and described its examples as hypothetical, so the finding documents a capability and reported practice rather than a universal pattern. FTC staff report and release
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FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said the initial findings showed retailers frequently use personal information to set tailored prices, “from a person’s location and demographics, down to their mouse movements on a webpage.” That statement describes the initial findings; it does not show that all retailers use cart abandonment to change prices.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe FTC also said the intermediaries it examined worked with at least 250 clients selling goods or services. That figure is a count of clients reported in the agency’s release—not a count of retailers proven to personalize prices based on cart contents.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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Why a shopping cart may use cookies
A cookie can perform an ordinary shopping function: the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) says cookies may remember what is in an online basket. A cookie’s presence by itself does not prove that a site is misusing data. The same guidance also describes cookies being used to track browsing behavior, so purpose and implementation matter. ICO guidance on cookies and similar technologies
Shopping sites may also use analytics or third-party technologies. The FTC describes tracking through third-party page elements such as pixels, social buttons, and analytics JavaScript, as well as cookies and browser fingerprinting. These are possible mechanisms, not a checklist of tools used by every retailer. FTC staff report on online behavioral advertising
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Tracked, shared, and sold are different claims
Tracking means recording or observing activity. A company may use that information itself, disclose it to another party, or sell data; those are distinct actions. The FTC’s cart-related finding supports concern about tracking and possible use in pricing, but the cited sources do not establish that retailers generally sell cart contents or provide a prevalence rate for such sales.
The ICO describes a more specific example of data transmission: an affiliate pixel on an order-confirmation page can pass sale information—including an order reference and transaction amount—to an affiliate platform. That example concerns attribution after a sale; it does not demonstrate that cart contents are sold. ICO guidance on cookies and similar technologies
Rank #3
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What you can do to reduce some tracking
- Review your browser’s privacy and cookie settings. Controls that limit third-party cookies or trackers can reduce some tracking across sites, but they do not necessarily stop the retailer’s own site from recording cart activity.
- Expect some shopping features to depend on site storage. Blocking cookies or scripts can interfere with basket contents, sign-in, or checkout. If a site stops working, adjust the relevant setting for that site rather than assuming every cookie serves the same purpose.
- Do not assume a price change has one cause. The FTC’s findings describe possible tailored pricing, not a guarantee that leaving an item in a cart will change its price or that a particular browser setting will prevent it.
The sources reviewed do not establish that a specific browser control prevents a retailer from collecting first-party cart data or tailoring offers. Tracker blocking can reduce some exposure, but it is not a promise of anonymity or fixed prices.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Privacy rules depend on where you live
The ICO guidance discusses the UK’s Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and UK GDPR. It is UK-specific guidance, not a statement of the rules that apply everywhere.
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
In 2019 testimony, the U.S. Government Accountability Office described the absence at that time of an overarching federal privacy law governing private-sector collection and sale of personal information, along with gaps in consumer rights for marketing data. That is a dated overview of the U.S. federal framework, not a definitive account of every current federal or state law. Rights and obligations depend on your location and circumstances. GAO testimony on consumer privacy
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Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
