“You're seeing this ad because you're a teacher, but better yet, you're Leo (and single). This ad is based on your geolocation to know that you are in Moscow. You enjoy supporting comedians, and you go to work by motorbike”. This is the kind of message you are likely to see in your news feed on Instagram, if you match the profile in question.
Written by the Signal secure messaging teams, these little pamphlets inevitably programmed via the Facebook Business Manager are clearly there to criticize the very revenue model of Mark Zuckerberg's firm. There we find perfect examples of the different targeting criteria offered by the tool,increasingly limited for advertisers since the arrival of ATT on iOS 14.
© Signal
Tips to better protect yourself
The good news for those worried about their privacy is that there are some relatively simple ways to avoid this type of practice. Already, many apps allow their users to only distribute randomized and not personalized content: this is a first step. Then there are also a whole bunch of options to configure so as not to be spied on at any time:
- turn off your GPS from the Control Center -
- block cross-app tracking
- deactivate your accounts on social networks (what better than your likes to identify you?)
- do not communicate your contact details publicly
- use a VPN to search…
Signal, the safest messaging?
For its part, Signal presents itself as one of the platforms that best protect your data. It is true that, like Telegram, the collection of personal information,collaboration with the authoritiesand encryption are much more attractive than on iMessage or Messenger. However, knowing who uses this type of service opens the door to all kinds of abuses intended to identify suspicious behavior.
Signal
Par : Signal Messenger, LLC
Otherwise, you can always consultour comparison of the different alternatives available on the App Store. Each with its own specificities, there are more and more of them.
