Avoid In-App Browser Usage for Important Tasks — It May Enable Tracking
Tech companies are finally taking a stand when it comes to third party tracking. Google is gradually working on blocking cookies while Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature is already in full motion. Nevertheless, custom In-App browsers are not affected by these changes.
Such browsers are inconvenient by default since they lack the history, usernames, passwords, and sharing features included in your usual browsers. However, although they are most typically encountered in programs such as Facebook and Instagram, they are not confined to just two Meta apps.
The Trouble with In-App Browsers
Since app developers create in-app browsers, they have a lot more say over what happens within. According to a new Fastlane research, Facebook and Instagram can virtually monitor everything they want when you use their in-app browser, which they utilize by default to access all advertising and links. If you opened a link relating to a data trabs
Instagram is used as an example in the research. Instagram embeds Meta’s Meta Pixel JavaScript tracking code onto each page you visit. It’s a library for website developers to use to monitor visitors on their site. Meta is injecting it on every site without permission and gathering data for itself.
When you click on a link in Instagram, the app injects JavaScript code (Meta Pixel) that allows the app to observe and record various things. They can track what you tapped on, which picture you accessed, how long you stayed on a website, and other information. Instagram then utilizes this data to give you more advertising and create a more accurate image of your identity. For example, if you opened a link relating to a data transfer you might see an ad for move to iOS app pretty soon on IG.
Technically, an in-app browser may collect personal information like as passwords and credit card information as you type it into a text box, but the investigation found no evidence that Meta is doing anything illegal. It’s worth noting, however, that any random app with its own built-in web browser has the capability.
How to Block In-App Tracking
First and foremost, if you access a link in Instagram, Facebook, or any other app with an in-app browser, exit the app. The app has already logged that you clicked on the link, and there isn’t much you can do about it, but you can disable the tracking there. Instagram features a secret option under the Menu button to access the website in the default browser.
Another alternative is to uninstall the program entirely. You won’t have to deal with this issue if you use the web app version. And, if we’re talking about Instagram, you’ll really get a smoother and quieter experience.
That’s pretty much all you can do. Developers recommend a string of code that will deceive Instagram into believing their code is already installed on the site. The research even makes recommendations on what Apple should do to avoid such misuse in the future.
