Smartphones: more than just communication
Today, smartphones are essential in our daily lives. Not only do we use them to send messages, make calls or surf the Internet, but they have also become powerful data collection devices.
Every time we open an application, from a simple game to the weather forecast, our phone is collecting a large amount of information.
This phenomenon has ushered in an era of digital surveillance that affects millions of users, without most of them being aware of what is going on in the background. Advertisers no longer just know which websites we visit; they now also know our exact location, our daily activity and our consumption habits.
But how does all this happen? The answer lies in personalized ads. Every time you see an ad on your phone, an ultra-fast auction is actually taking place between multiple advertising platforms.
This auction determines which ad you will be shown, but what few people know is that, during this process, an enormous amount of data about you is collected and distributed.
The information shared is not just your location or IP address. It also includes details about the type of Internet connection you are using, your battery level and even the unique identifier of your device.
The illusion of anonymity
The data is not anonymous
Although many advertisers claim to use depersonalized or anonymous data, the reality is that they go to great lengths to identify users and link their activities across different devices. If you've ever used apps like Facebook, Google or even games on your phone, chances are they are already collecting detailed information about you, even if you haven't directly interacted with these services.
Unique identifiers, such as Apple's IDFA or Android's AAID, are key in this process. These identifiers allow advertisers to track you across different devices and apps, building a unique and detailed profile about you. This poses a clear threat to our privacy because, the moment we share personal information, such as an email or address, it is very easy for advertisers to link that information to our profile.
Check the permissions of your applications
Configure a secure DNS
Eliminate unnecessary applications
Opt for ad-free applications
The future of digital privacy: ethics and transparency
In an increasingly digital world...
Technology companies must be committed to ethics and transparency. While personalized ads can be a powerful tool, it is also crucial that users have control over their own data. Companies must offer clear options for managing privacy and ensure that users understand how their information is collected and used.
It is time for consumers to demand more transparency and for companies to lead the way in the ethical handling of personal information. Privacy is a right, not a luxury, and should be protected as such.