Restricting Advertisers to track users on Android devices, says Google
Martech Outlook | Thursday, February 24, 2022
Google comes up with the notion of limiting user tracking apps on iOS, from mobile games to diet and fitness apps
FREMONT CA: Google announced that it would limit advertisers' ability to track Android phones and other device users. It joins Apple in taking steps to strengthen consumer privacy in the United States, a game-changer for the digital ad industry.
In a blog post, Anthony Chavez, vice president of product management for Android Security & Privacy, stated that the company would also develop other ways for software developers and businesses to reach mobile users while limiting the sharing of personal data, noting that the company wants to raise the expectations for user privacy.
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On Android smartphones, Google includes a distinctive identifier called Advertising ID that allows advertisers to track what a user does across all apps, allowing businesses to develop a full picture of that person's interests and actions. The measure will limit the ability of apps to collect that data.
Google's move follows Apple's decision to limit user tracking on iPhones last year. Every time an app on iOS tracks someone, it must now ask for permission. This includes anything from diet and fitness applications to mobile games. According to Flurry Analytics, about three-quarters of iOS users opt-out of being tracked. This has sent shockwaves through the multibillion-dollar targeted advertising sector.
Google, now owned by Alphabet, introduced Advertising ID, a string of digits that identifies a specific Android mobile device and allows advertisers to target users based on device activity. Last year, the company announced that it would abandon Advertising ID on mobile and limit the use of third-party cookies in its Chrome web browser. However, the company is trying to balance the interests of advertisers and privacy protection for users.
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