Google-chrome – How does Streak email tracking work from Gmail to Gmail

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The Chrome extension Streak for Gmail claims that they can track emails and I assume that then it works from Gmail to Gmail too (EDIT: not, see answer below).

As far as I know, email tracking works either

  1. using images (typically transparent 1×1 pixel etc.), or
  2. with the active involvement of the reading client (e.g. Exchange read receipts).

As Streak is not a Google product I'd rule out #2, and #1 should be out because Google claims:

Senders can’t use image loading to get information like your IP
address or location.

source: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/145919?hl=en

So I wonder how Streak works? And then, how to disable someone else tracking me?

Best Answer

Based on information from their site it appears that they are using 1st method. Especially after reading the following

Justin W2 weeks ago 
support@streak says: 
Gmail recently made a change that causes image requests to 
lose all their identifying information. What this means is 
that email opens from a Gmail account will show up as anonymous.

Found at http://blog.streak.com/2013/11/unlimited-email-tracking-for-gmail-with.html

This means that whoever opens your email has download images disabled that will mean that tracking fails. In case of another Gmail subscriber reading the message Google will automatically protect their information.

So to prevent people from tracking you make sure to disable automatic picture download.

Than I would take advice from Google when you go Incognito mode, this relates to websites, ads and etc tracking you not other people using streak.

Going incognito doesn't affect the behavior of other people, servers, or software. Be wary of:

  • Websites that collect or share information about you
  • Internet service providers or employers that track the pages you visit
  • Malicious software that tracks your keystrokes in exchange for free smileys
  • Surveillance by secret agents
  • People standing behind you
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