I really like Advanced Privacy and use it to monitor closely what is happening with the Apps on my phone. I have noticed that the DuckDuckGo App that has 59 allowed leaks.
Recently, I used the browser more for more browsing than I normally do and I am now using the app normally again - no browsing. The Newsblur app opens articles in DuckDuckGo but, this activity doesn’t result in any leaks. And none of my other apps have leaks either.
are these trackers now permanently on my phone tracking my activity
if yes, should I reset my phone to get rid of them, or is there an easier way?
I have tried clearing the duckduckgo app cache and storage, to clear the current tracking stats for this app but, it still shows the leaked trackers. I have also tried deleting the app and re-installing it.
I want to start again with a phone clean of any trackers. But, I would prefer not to have to reset it each time a few trackers get allowed. However, I will if that is my only option.
My other question is whether Advanced Privacy is giving me the best protection against tracking or should I be using something else?
My understanding is that all trackers are on your phone (in the apps). Advanced privacy just prevents them from calling home and send data, except for those that leaked. You could add a private DNS as well (e.g. nextdns) for an additional layer of “security” but you’ll still see those that leaked in advanced privacy. However nextdns could potentially catch these up after their data leave your phone, before reaching their destination. So advanced privacy would be the primary blocker and the private dns could filter those who leak from advanced privacy. Not sure you can catch 100% without breakkng some websites though.
Thanks. The leaks were all let in by the duckduckgo app, from websites, so perhaps this is not the best browsing app to use, for blocking trackers? Perhaps there is an alternative that I could use instead?
Not really, the defaults are already pretty good. I am using duckduckgo as my search engine in brave. But I am also using nextdns as private dns (but leaks blocked at the dns level would still be marked as allowed in advanced privacy).
I wish that I could use mullvad browser on the phone. Combined with the VPN, it is a good solution and stops leaks. But, I will try Brave a the dns app.
