14 DAY TRIAL // The latest development build of Google Chrome provides users with the necessary UI controls to clear Flash Local Shared Objects (LSO) from inside the browser.
Flash LSOs allow rich Internet applications to store various settings and cache items. For example, a Flash-based music player can use this feature to remember the user's preferred volume level over multiple sessions.
LSOs are commonly referred to as Flash cookies, not because they were designed to serve a similar function, but because they could be used for this purpose.
This alternative storage location raises several problems. For one, it can be abused to track users and respawn regular browser cookies, an unethical and illegal practice.
Several lawsuits seeking class action status have already been filed against major companies like Disney, Warner Bros. Records, Ustream and others, for using the method to track users across their websites.
Another problem is that LSOs reside outside of the browser's directory and deleting them currently requires users to go through a confusing procedure that involves opening a special page on Adobe's website.
The Flash Player maker announced in January that it is working with Google and Mozilla to create a new application programming interface (API) that will allow browsers to clear data stored by compliant plug-ins.
The company has added support for the new API, known as NPAPI ClearSiteData, in Flash Player 10.3, which is currently still in beta.
Nevertheless, Flash Player 10.3 is bundled in the dev version of Chrome, which as of build 12.0.742.9, has added interface controls for this functionality.
The new option called "Delete cookies and other site and plug-in data" is located under Wrench > Tools > Clear browsing data. Users can also configure the browser to automatically delete the data on exit from the Content Settings menu.
For now, this functionality is only available for Flash Player, but any plug-in developer can add support for NPAPI ClearSiteData in the future.