DuckDuckGo’s App Tracking Protection available for all Android users

DuckDuckGo’s App Tracking Protection is now available for public beta testing on all Android devices after launching in a limited beta almost a year ago.

When enabled in DuckDuckGo’s browser, App Tracking Protection detects when apps are about to send data to a list of third-party tracking companies on DuckDuckGo’s publicly available blocklist, and then blocks most of those data requests.  

An added feature allows users to see what personal data is being collected by trackers in real time prior to blocking, including information like your precise location, age, and your phone’s digital fingerprint. 

In a blog announcing the rollout, DuckDuckGo claims the average Android user has 35 apps on their phone and can experience between 1,000 and 2,000 tracking attempts from over 70 different tracking companies every day. 

This information can be sold to companies like data brokers, advertisers, and even governments. 

Tracking data is also used by companies like Meta and Google to build creepily specific advertising profiles that target users and make them feel like they’re being listened to.

To try the beta of App Tracking Protection yourself, download the latest version of DuckDuckGo for Android and head into settings where App Tracking Protection can be enabled.

- CyberBeat