Ad tracking on MacOS and iOS

[srbNYC]

This morning, I bought an item via Safari on my MacBook. Later this morning, ads for it started popping up on Instagram on my iPhone. I have all the anti-tracking settings (Hide IP address, block cross-site tracking, etc.) engaged on both devices and wherever I can find them in these apps. But, still.

I know this kind of thing happens to everyone, but how? Is it a deal between Apple and Meta that lets certain cookies or pixels pass? Are these settings a sham?

 

[Bigwaff]

This morning, I bought an item via Safari on my MacBook. Later this morning, ads for it started popping up on Instagram on my iPhone. I have all the anti-tracking settings (Hide IP address, block cross-site tracking, etc.) engaged on both devices and wherever I can find them in these apps. But, still.

I know this kind of thing happens to everyone, but how? Is it a deal between Apple and Meta that lets certain cookies or pixels pass? Are these settings a sham?

Not a sham. Advert companies are always finding ways to combat anti-tracking mechanisms, etc. It is an arms race and Meta has the resources and tech to combat sophisticated anti-trackers. Remove Facebook, WhatsApp, etc if you want Meta not to track you.

 

[srbNYC]

Understood. But still amazing to me that it was across devices. Ordered on Mac, got ad on iPhone.

 

[MacAndMic]

Your email address is a big link in the advert world. Facebook shares data with everyone it seems, even my mortgage company was on the list.

When I seen this, I was sure to add a unique hide my email address to every social media account I have and then delete the original address. It has stopped a ton of it.