DuckDuckGo now prevents Android apps from spying on you
DuckDuckGo’s web browser will prevent overly curious Android apps from spying on you. The search engine indeed offers an ad tracker blocker similar to that of Apple on iOS.
DuckDuckGo, the alternative search engine to Google, just announced a feature called “Android app tracking protection” in a blog post. Integrated to DuckDuckGo web browser, this option will block all trackers present in the Android applications installed on your phone.
As a reminder, the search engine launched a more privacy-friendly web browser than Chrome few months ago. This alternative browser is available on the Google Play Store and on the App Store. Among its current features is the “fire” button, which erases all your data with a single click.
On the same theme: DuckDuckGo launches Maps, an alternative to Google Maps that protects your privacy
DuckDuckGo tackles ad trackers the iOS way
According to DuckDuckGo, over 96% of free Android apps hide trackers able to “Follow everything you do” in line. This information is then transmitted to firms such as Facebook and Google. With this data, they can refine their ad targeting.
To prevent these Android apps from obtaining information about your account, DuckDuckGo’s web browser will block trackers it identifies in other applications. Concretely, it will detect when Android apps are about to send data to tracking companies. The tool will run in the background without your being aware of it.
To find out if trackers are blocked on your device, simply go to the DuckDuckGo app. An interface will show in real time the number of apps that were bypassed. This feature is currently available in beta. To register, go to the DuckDuckGo app and open Settings> Application tracking protection (in the Confidentiality section).
The new feature of DuckDuckGo works in a similar fashion to iOS safeguards. With the 14.5 update of its OS, Apple introduced a tool to prevent data aspiration for advertising purposes. All iOS applications wishing to collect data from Internet users must display a message offering the choice between two options: “Accept usage tracking ” Where “Ask the app not to track usage”. In case of refusal, the app is deprived of data.