While it can still be configured to learn heuristically, it is no longer the default option because it can be exploited by third-parties to fingerprint the user based on trackers it blocks.
[12] Ars Technica notes that if an advertiser makes a commitment to respect Do Not Track requests, their cookies will be unblocked from Privacy Badger.
[14] Kif Leswing writing for Gigaom writes, "Privacy Badger’s blacklist is generated through heuristic blocking, which means it gets better the longer it is used", and wrote in May 2014 that Privacy Badger "breaks a lot of websites", but considers it important as it is created by a nonprofit organization, and sums it up as "more than good enough".
[15] Privacy Badger belongs to a class of free tracker blockers which function as web browser plugins.
[16]: B1 Tracker blockers similar to Privacy Badger include Disconnect, uBlock Origin, Redmorph and Ghostery.