Safari might have been one of the first browsers to add an “Ask websites not to track me” button to its Privacy settings, but now it’s going to be one of the first to dump it. According to the release notes for Safari 12.1—which is part of the upcoming iOS 12.2 and macOS 10.1.4—Apple will be removing the toggle from Safari in an effort to keep your data safer at the source.
As explained by privacy-minded browser DuckDuckGo, the Do Not Track standard that has been adopted by every major browser doesn’t actually do anything. As evidenced by the wording in Safari’s toggle, you’re basically asking websites to leave you alone, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will—and most don't. It’s so toothless in fact, that Apple is removing it in order to “prevent potential use as a fingerprinting variable.” In plain English: the “do not track” standard might actually make you easier to track.
