narwhal

joined 2 years ago
 

Possibly another scummy behavior from fucking Meta.

So I try my best to avoid url tracking. I set the default browser on my android phone to this app: https://github.com/TrianguloY/UrlChecker

I also made sure to turn off the "Open supported links" settings from aps like Instagram.

So usually, if someone shares Instagram links to WhatsApp, usually with the url tracking, I can clean them up first using UrlChecker before opening it in Instagram app.

Recently I noticed if I tap on Instagram links, WhatsApp will immediately open it in Instagram, ignoring Android's default browser setting to open the link with UrlChecker first.

I thought something was broken, but if I open non-instagram links, those will open UrlChecker app.

Can you please help check if the behavior is the same on your side? So I can be sure that I'm not crazy. Thanks!

 

Sadly, I can't seem to find the full, non paywalled version of the article ._.

 

Sadly, I can't seem to find the non paywalled version of the article ._.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I just double checked, it should be included in the default filter list.

https://i.imgur.com/uKmWh0L.jpg

You just need to activate it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (5 children)

If you use ublock origin, I find add-ons such as ClearURLs to be no longer necessary.

You can just add url tracking filter like this one maintained by adguard to ublock origin: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AdguardTeam/FiltersRegistry/master/filters/filter_17_TrackParam/filter.txt

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 years ago

Because url shorteners can be used to hide affiliate links or even malicious URLs.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago

I'm aware that with most privacy issues, a lot of people have limited understanding about it. Hell, I'm probably ignorant on many other privacy issues outside of this topic.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

Try sharing Instagram post or YouTube video from the apps.

Instagram adds 'igshid=' . YouTube adds 'si='.

Try sharing the same IG or YouTube content from different accounts. The 'igshid', 'si' param value will be different

It can be used to tag who shares it, and who clicks on that specific url param.

TikTok hides a ton of such params behind shortened url. Try expanding tiktok shared urls.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

For android, I use this: https://github.com/TrianguloY/UrlChecker

For firefox, I use ublock origin and add then anti url tracking list. Adguard maintains such a list. I forgot the exact name though.

Edit: it's this one https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AdguardTeam/FiltersRegistry/master/filters/filter_17_TrackParam/filter.txt

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Thanks. Looking back, maybe I should've at least explained about it a little more. At the time I just wanted to blow off some steam.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Then they know who's the poster (you), they can know your username if they want to. A lot of people use the same username in many places, so unless you use different usernames in different social media, it's still valuable data.

If not that, seeing how the content spreads through social media and analyzing the reach is interesting data by itself.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

That's an interesting idea. Although some websites/apps will have some quirks that might break the general rules.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

How so? This is a rant post, I'm not trying to present it differently.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago (7 children)

Look, the point is that I've tried explaining it to friends and family and whoever want (and don't want) to listen.

This post is a rant / wishful thinking as stated as being so, I'm not in the mood of explaining everything again. I've done that in my personal blog, etc.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

No but that's what the comments are for. I share if the discussion is relevant.

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