Apple app tracking transparency: What are the options for Android users?

While Apple’s recent big reveal – app tracking transparency feature – created enough buzz in the tech world as it gave users the authority to control which applications track their movement, Android users were left wondering if there’s an alternative to this tool for them?

The app tracking feature makes it mandatory for iOS application developers to seek permission for tracking users across apps on any iOS device. You can choose to either accept or decline permission to these apps.

Google is soon expected to release the Android 12 update but there is no news about the development of any similar app tracking feature yet. So what are some other ways to improve the safety and privacy of your Android phones?

If your device runs on Android 11, you can monitor the permissions given to different apps. How? Go to mobile Settings, scroll down to Apps and notifications and click on Permissions manager. Now you can check the accessibility of each app whether it is allowed to track the device location, photo gallery, etc. You can also choose to allow them to access your location, photos, etc., all the time or only while using the app.

To be aware of apps that are at high-security risk in your phone, one can turn to Play Protect. This is an option available under Settings. Once you click on Privacy, Play Protect is on top. Turn it on to scan all the apps and understand the security risks that come along.

There are a few other options to secure your online data browsing like private browsing or incognito mode and virtual private networks (VPN). But none of these provide complete immunity from third-party tracking.

Hence, unless Android brings a feature similar to Apple’s app tracking transparency one might have to do with the current stand-by options.