Forum:
Apparently your phones have what's called an "advertising ID", an ID number for advertisers to track you with. But there's a way to delete/disable/reset your ID. Here's an article on it.
« Back to the Reclaiming the Internet Forum
A Way to Disable Personalized Ads on Mobile
Report Topic
4 Replies
Reply by freerunner
posted
updated
There's no such thing as "disabling advertising ID", the option is just a distraction to make you feel fake security because as long as you use modern technology your data will always be collected and you always will be tracked and the ID is not needed because everything you do will get linked back to you. If you really care about your privacy and security then get rid of your smartphone because they're fundementally designed to be insecure and violate your privacy, not even a dumb phone but that would be your best option if you REALLY need one.
Permalink
Reply by Lakes
posted
updated
I understand that there's always gonna be things that weaken your privacy online. But I still think deleting your ad id is good advice. Sure, a dumb phone is always the better option for privacy. But like not everyone has the option, since you don't know everyone's situation. For example, someone might rely on certain modern apps like signal & orbot for activism or journalism/whistleblowing. (Edward Snowden himself literally advocated for Signal & Tor usage). Besides, I trust EFF is telling the truth, since they have been fighting for people's privacy rights in court for years now. I normally won't respond but I hate how people treat privacy online like it's this all or nothing thing.
Reply by ✶Rib𓆩𓁺𓆪Eye Black Dragon✶
posted
I'm going to assume this isn't just in the android phone and it's on Apple product as well. I'll try it out. Of course, like the first reply said. There's no absolute privacy with smartphones. The most you could do is to mitigate the data you could give out to these companies.
I stopped using Google Playstore and it fundamentally breaks a lot of my apps since I directly download the APKs in something like APKpure, APKMirror or an FOSS app called Aurora Store instead.
Reply by Virtual Insanity
posted
I didn't think that was possible on a normal Android phone.
I use CalyxOS (a de-Googled Android OS) and when I set it up I had the option to install MicroG (which I'm sure needed to set up an advertising ID of some sort, though it could be reset periodically) or to not bother with MicroG. I went for the latter option. There are probably some apps which won't install or work properly because of that decision, but I've not ran into any issues so far. I tend to do most things on a computer rather than on my phone anyway.
I don't agree with the idea that because there are other ways you can be tracked on a phone that "There's no such thing as "disabling advertising ID"". Remove that ID if you want to, but beware that it's only one tracking method.
I would ask, who do you want to stop giving data away to? This could probably be broken down into a handful of different groups: -
- websites / apps
- Google / Apple
- your network operator
- government
- other 3rd parties
I hear that a lot of companies want you to install their apps because they can collect more data that way, so opt to use the browser rather than their app.
If an app demands access to sensitive data like contact lists or call logs either don't use that app or put it on a separate phone which doesn't make calls or store contacts. I would rather they got 0% of anything, but 100% of nothing is fine too!
If you don't want Google tracking your location you're probably going to need to get a de-Googled phone as a starting point. Apparently there is a 'Google Sensor Vault' which stock Android phones connect to to upload data from the compass, accelerometers, GPS and so on, so even if you put the phone in a Faraday bag while traveling when you take it out it will upload all that data and where the phone has been can be worked out. I doubt that goes away by getting rid of the Advertising ID.
Some people opt to use the phone without a SIM card and use a mobile router as a data only connection. Add a VOIP service to your phone and you can make calls (via the mobile modem) but your phone number is not searchable on the mobile network because it doesn't exist there.
Of course even with a dumb phone the modem still emits radio signals (and probably identifiers carried on those signals) which can be tracked by anyone with equipment to do so, probably even without a SIM card inserted since they usually connect to towers to be able to make emergency calls. If the radios (modem, Wi-Fi and BlueTooth) were emitting unique colours of visible light the tracking possibilities would be blatantly obvious, but because they're invisible we tend to not think about them.
There are systems for tracking shoppers as they wander through shops by
tracking Wi-Fi / BlueTooth signals, if this is a concern switch your
phone off and put it in a Faraday bag, or leave it at home or in your car. I say switch it off because in a Faraday bag it won't be able to get a signal and might try to counter this by transmitting on maximum power which will only drain the battery faster.
tracking Wi-Fi / BlueTooth signals, if this is a concern switch your
phone off and put it in a Faraday bag, or leave it at home or in your car. I say switch it off because in a Faraday bag it won't be able to get a signal and might try to counter this by transmitting on maximum power which will only drain the battery faster.
For many people getting a de-Googled phone and being careful about apps and their permissions would be a significant improvement over stock Android.