44 Trackers on More Than 300 Android Apps

This article examines 44 Trackers on More Than 300 Android Apps. It presents the main facts, practical implications, and key points in a clearer, easier-to-follow format.

Understanding 44 Trackers on More Than 300 Android Apps

The results of this study published last week show the practice of collecting user data through third-party tracking code that has spread among Android app developers and on many popular websites.

These two investigation teams have found tracking scripts not only in less-used applications but also in popular applications like Uber, Twitter, Tinder, Soundcloud or Spotify.

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Yale and Exodus's investigation led to the creation of a website dedicated to listing applications using tracking code and a list of trackers used with these applications.

This website has the function of listing the trackers used by each application and the details that the trackers collect and information about security policies, ownership and other related information.

The researchers said they identified a total of 44 trackers embedded in more than 300 Android applications, including Google's CrashLytics platform and DoubleClick as the most popular trackers.

While some trackers only collect application crash reports (such as Google's CrashLytics), other trackers collect application usage information and user details, including a information is highly sensitive.

Exodus has released notation for each tracker, so mobile security providers can embed them in security scanners to detect these trackers.