Advertising technology, also known as ad tech, enables and facilitates targeted online advertising. These tools and systems often harvest and distribute internet users’ data, helping build individualized profiles that can be bought, sold, or otherwise obtained by private companies, governments, or other actors.
Research published by
CPJ
and the
Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights at the Harvard Kennedy School
has shown how journalists are at risk at home and in exile from this architecture of mass surveillance and those that harness it.
While tracking from digital advertising technology has become ubiquitous and structural change is needed to address these threats, you can take actions to limit the information gathered through these systems.
Disable your advertising ID and adjust your device and account settings
Note: Sharing your location with an app may mean the location is shared with various third parties as well, the Electronic Freedom Foundation has
found
.
See these links along with instructions below to help adjust your account settings:
Android
Android ad privacy settings
,
location sharing settings
, and
how Google uses data
they collect from your device
Turn off ad topics
: Settings -> Google -> All Services -> Privacy & security -> Ads -> Ads privacy -> Ad topics -> Off
Turn off suggested ads
: Settings -> Google -> All Services -> Privacy & security -> Ads -> Ads privacy -> App suggested ads -> Off
Turn off ad measurement
: Settings -> Google -> All Services -> Privacy & security -> Ads -> Ads privacy ->Ad measurement -> Off
Limit location permissions
: Settings -> Location -> App location permissions -> Adjust individual app permission to limit location tracking
Limit data shared to personalization index
: Settings -> Google -> All Services -> Privacy & security -> Personalize using shared data -> Adjust individual app permission
Delete advertising ID : Settings -> Privacy -> Ads
… [more]
