Privacy News Uninstall Trackers available to developers for Android and iOS

[Ink]

Content source

https://www.androidauthority.com/apps-uninstall-trackers-917539/

It seems that developers are able to track you even after removing the offending app, allowing them to potentially annoy you with prompts to reinstall it.

• Uninstall trackers are now available for Android and iOS apps.
• The tools essentially allow developers to identify if you’ve removed their app from your device.
• This could open the door for targeted ads, prompting users to reinstall an app.

Adjust, AppsFlyer, CleverTap, MoEngage and Localytics are just a few of the companies offering uninstall trackers to Android and iOS developers, according to Bloomberg. Their customers include Spotify Technology, T-Mobile, Yelp, and Bloomberg‘s parent company.

The tool does have some potential uses, such as gauging reactions to an app update (more uninstalls equal a terrible update). But it doesn’t merely let developers know how many people have uninstalled an app…

How does it work?

The publication notes that uninstall tracking takes advantage of silent push notifications in Android and iOS. Silent push notifications are usually used for tasks where the device owner shouldn’t be alerted, such as refreshing your inbox.

An app is deemed uninstalled if it doesn’t send a ping back to the developer. The uninstall tracker is then able to tie the “uninstalled” status to your mobile advertising ID, effectively identifying users and opening the door for annoying ads.

Alex Austin, CEO of software company Branch Metrics, told Bloomberg that uninstall trackers violate Apple and Google’s policies (although they haven’t cracked down yet). Austin added that his company decided against building an uninstall tracker.

More: Bloomberg - Now Apps Can Track You Even After You Uninstall Them

 

[CyberTech]

Uninstaller Trackers link for iOS?

 

[Ink]

There is no iOS link.

Adjust, AppsFlyer, CleverTap, MoEngage and Localytics are just a few of the companies offering uninstall trackers to Android and iOS developers, according to Bloomberg. Their customers include Spotify Technology, T-Mobile, Yelp, and Bloomberg‘s parent company.