DuckDuckGo has opened up the beta for App Tracking Protection, giving all Android users a tool capable of detecting and blocking most third-party trackers that run in the background.
This includes trackers loaded from apps currently in use (foreground) and those that run in the background and monitor activity to siphon personal data while the user switches between apps.
App Tracking Protection is being rolled out in the latest version (5.143.1) of the DuckDuckGo browser app and can be activated through the Settings menu.
DuckDuckGo
Trackers Trackers Everywhere
DuckDuckGo says that, on average, Android devices with 35 installed apps experience between 1,000-2,000 tracking events daily, with the data going to over 70 marketing companies.
The purpose of this tracking is to collect enough information about the user’s interests and help deliver targeted ads for better engagement and conversion rates. And the more data the better.
These trackers collect data points like location, phone numbers, screen resolution, device make and model, internet provider, language, and others that, when combined, can lead to persistent tracking or even de-anonymization.
Recently filed lawsuits against Apple alleged inadequacy of its App Tracking Transparency system, claiming that some apps continue to collect sensitive data even when those users declined to give consent for tracking.
How Tracker Blocking Works
DuckDuckGo has compiled a list with all known trackers, which is constantly expanded with new entries.
App Tracking Protection uses this list to detect and block trackers, stopping the data collection for all apps except those the user has expressly excluded.
The system needs to set up a local VPN connection to monitor all network traffic on the device, which is required for identifying the trackers.
DuckDuckGo addresses concerns about this functional requirement, reassuring users that no data is sent to DuckDuckGo or any remote servers of other companies.
“App Tracking Protection uses a local “VPN connection,” which means that it works its magic right on your smartphone and without sending app data to DuckDuckGo or other remote servers,” mentions the blog post.
“That is, App Tracking Protection does not route your app data through external companies (including ours).”
Worries about performance drops due to running a VPN-based traffic monitor in the background all the time are also played down.
DuckDuckGo reassures users the performance impact is so minimal, not even hardcore mobile gamers will notice a difference.
Having activated the system, the user can either monitor the tracker blocker via the “live view” to evaluate apps individually or just let the app generate periodical ‘Activity Reports’ of what has been blocked.
(DuckDuckGo)
Those interested in diving deeper can see precisely what kind of trackers are blocked for each application they use.
Before you go straight to Google Play to download the latest DuckDuckGo app, remember this feature has just entered beta, so it might not work consistently just yet.
However, testers are still important in this phase, so if you stumble upon bugs, make sure to report them to the DuckDuckGo team.
DuckDuckGo browser is currently recommended in our guide on secure browsers that respect your privacy.
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Tracker Control from FDroid seems a lot better than Duckduckgo, I just don’t like that you have to turn off the VPN in Android (it appears) anyone know if they can work alongside each other?
Not possible.
But if you want to use AdGuard blocklist (which is used by TC) with VPN, there is a solution.
in android set adguard as a private DNS and use VPN of your choice.
In windows set adguard dns in VPN’s DNS setting option.
I use such with Proton VPN.
Great article! I share some of the ideas already expressed. I don’t see how DDG’s new offer would be distinctive from other application based ad / tracker blockers as a solution. Is anyone technical enough to give a high level explanation of the similarity or dis-similarity between the solutions (AdGuard Application based solution and DDG Application based solution) considering the technology / implementation and possible list the pros and cons?
(Note I don’t use AdGuard, or any application base blocking solution)
For me, I like a devise based VPN solution as a catch all solution (A VPN router solution is not suitable in my household, and doesn’t fix mobile data transfer or use of WiFi outside my residence); and Ublock Origin customised for each browser. (though my browser segmentation and UBlock Origin setup is a bit of a mess ATM)
Yes, the problem with AdGuard blocker on phones is that you can’t use it if you want to use a VPN. Or, you can, with their own VPN (not so fast and convenient at the moment). The iOS users can use AdGuard system-wide blocker with any VPN that supports IKEv2 protocol, although it can be unstable at times. Their DNS blocker is also one of the best I’ve tried.
Since DDG admitted that they censor certain websites I have stopped using them. That’s a red flag for me when someone claiming to not censor anything and then admit they actually do it.
It’s still more convenient to use AdGuard or a good and trusted VPN with built-in DNS blockers, like IVPN or Mullvad.
Just use AdGuard. It blocks trackers and ads in any browser and all apps.
Ha, ha, ha! One pit-stop for MS to collect all data from varous sources. Awesome. Congrats!
We previously covered the Microsoft tracker issue with DDG browser here:
https://restoreprivacy.com/duckduckgo-browser-microsoft-tracking/