1 year ago
Meta and Yandex Track Android Users' Browsing Data via Website Code
Imagine Facebook and a Russian company called Yandex were secretly watching what you do on the internet.
They put tiny trackers on many websites to see which sites you visit, like what you buy and what pages you look at.
These trackers linked your browsing to your Facebook or Yandex account, even when you used private browsing!
They did this on Android phones, because Android lets apps talk to each other more easily.
Now, Google and other web browsers are trying to stop this sneaky tracking.
Facebook said it was a mistake, and Yandex said it was for making apps better.
To stay safe, you might want to get rid of Facebook, Instagram and Yandex apps for now.
Meta and Yandex bypassed Android privacy to track users' web activity.
Tracking involved embedding codes (Meta Pixel, Yandex Metrica) on millions of websites.
The method exploited browser-to-app communication to link browsing data to app profiles.
Google, Mozilla, and others are responding with updates to block the tracking.
Meta paused the tracking, and Yandex discontinued it, citing 'miscommunication' and app personalization.
- Who
- Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Yandex tracked Android users.
- What
- Meta and Yandex bypassed Android privacy to track user web activity.
- Where
- Across millions of websites using embedded tracking codes.
- When
- Meta began in September 2023; Yandex as early as 2017.
- Why
- To link web activity to app profiles, for personalization (Yandex) and possibly due to miscommunication (Meta).
Key facts
- Companies Involved
- Meta (Facebook/Instagram), Yandex
- Target Platform
- Android
- Tracking Method
- Embedded codes (Meta Pixel, Yandex Metrica)
- Affected Websites
- Millions
- Response
- Google, Mozilla, and others blocking the method
- Meta's Stance
- Paused the tracking, cited miscommunication
- Yandex's Stance
- Discontinued practice, aimed for app personalization
