GoKawiilAndy Walker / Android Authority
It’s no secret that Android apps can and often do track users as they navigate their devices and the internet. This is done through systems that monitor users’ habits and report various parameters to third parties, whether that data is as innocuous as how a particular button is used or more consequential, such as location or other personal details.
How concerned are you about trackers in Android apps? 427 votes Very concerned; I actively avoid apps with trackers. 46 % Somewhat concerned; I try to limit my use of such apps. 44 % Neutral; I don't pay much attention to trackers. 5 % Not very concerned; I use apps regardless of trackers. 4 % Not concerned at all; I trust app developers to handle my data responsibly. 0 % I have a more nuanced take (Elaborate in the comments). 1 %
While tracking itself isn’t necessarily a problem, I don’t want trackers shadowing me, so I try to block these as broadly as possible. But just how many apps are engaging in this activity on my phone?
I recently used Exodus to highlight trackers in a popular Android launcher, but I didn’t realize just how widespread the problem is across apps I use almost every day.
What is Exodus, and how does it work?
Andy Walker / Android Authority
Exodus is an open-source app that highlights the tracking and analytics libraries hidden within apps installed on my device. It’s built and maintained by the French non-profit Exodus Privacy, a group of “hacktivists who want to protect privacy everywhere.”
So, how does it work? After installing the app, Exodus scans the trackers and permissions lurking within each app. On my phone, with around 100 apps installed, this takes about three minutes.
Once it’s complete, you can filter apps by name, number of trackers or permissions, or installation date, or search for individual apps. I suggest using the middle two options — they’ll certainly provide the biggest scare.
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