Why Do Some Webpages/Web Applications Load Incorrectly in Safari?

Information on Safari's default privacy settings and their impact on website/web application functionality.

Why does my website/web application not load/work properly in Safari?

By default, Safari has a more aggressive approach to protecting your privacy than most other browsers. However, this increased privacy can cause issues in the functionality of some sites. Some web applications depend on things like cookies, fingerprinting, or other forms of cross-site tracking in order to function. Tracking isn't always bad; BGSU's Single Sign-On leverages these technologies, for instance. Other uses of tracking, however, might be aimed at "spying" on you to sell you products, sell your web behavior as a product, or worse.

Safari is configured to block many forms of tracking in favor of protecting user privacy. Safari tries to intelligently avoid blocking certain cookies and other tracking technologies that web services require for core functionality while at the same time blocking those that track users/use for other purposes. This process is not perfect and sometimes these settings break the functionality of certain websites. If this happens, users can disable this feature to allow websites to engage in tracking without restriction. Users can also re-enable these features when finished using the specific site(s).

Disable Prevent Cross-Site Tracking

1. Open Safari.
2. Select Preferences from the Safari drop-down menu in the top left corner of the browser window.
3. Select the Privacy tab.
4. Uncheck Prevent cross-site tracking.
5. If checked, uncheck Block all cookies.

Re-Enable Prevent Cross-Site Tracking

1. Open Safari.
2. Select Preferences from the Safari drop-down menu in the top left corner of the browser window.
3. Select the Privacy tab.
4. Check the box next to  Prevent cross-site tracking.

 

 

For additional assistance, please contact Information Technology Services at 419-372-0999 or through chat.