How I tracked myself down using leaked location data in the in-app ads, and what I found along the way.
  • airikr@lemmy.ml
    5·
    3 hours ago

    Horrific read!

    Yet another reason why I use F-Droid and RethinkDNS with “Block newly installed apps by default” in the universal firewall rules enabled.

    Only the absolute neccessary apps that I can’t live without (like my Swedish bank’s app) will be installed from Play Store.

    • hersh@literature.cafe
      3·
      2 hours ago

      Additionally, you can set Android to use an ad-blocking DNS server without apps. In Settings > Network & Internet > DNS, select “Private DNS” and set the hostname to a custom server, like base.dns.mullvad.net (Mullvad’s DNS server is free to the public, does not require a VPN subscription).

      The per-app controls sound neat! I might give that a try. Google killed the ability to restrict apps’ network access years ago, specifically so ads would always work. I’ve never tried a local VPN as a workaround.

    • ERROR: Earth.exe has crashed@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      1·
      2 hours ago

      OMG I could use a VPN and Firewall at the same time with RethinkDNS app? 😲

      I mean I know the app existed, but I didn’t know it could do that. I was about to comment a “Android only allows a VPN or Firewall not both” comment, but checked the app to make sure I’m right, then I see the VPN option in there and I’m like: Why the fuck haven’t anyone told me anything about it

      • airikr@lemmy.ml
        2·
        32 minutes ago

        Yepp. I have used the Wireshark servers from Mullvad VPN for at least 1 year in RethinkDNS now. Works flawlessly.