If you’re outside the US, or where more people use Samsung devices, Samsung Smarttags could be a better choice.

Aw shucks…

For now I just have to remember not to automatically click on IG links. Need to copy and clean it up first 😔

Thanks.

I wasn’t aware of this. Is there any way to turn it off? Thanks

I’m aware. So even though I have to use them, I try to limit trackings as much as I can.

I’ve done that. That’s the issue.

I didn’t remember it well, but after checking it again, the list is actually included in the default filter list. It just needed to be activated if it hasn’t. I don’t remember the default behavior.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

Because I don’t expect the target audience to be here in /c/privacy

It’s not just browser though, sharing links from apps also generate these URLs. A lot of people then share these links through chat apps.

I do realize that most people are not aware of it, that’s why I said this is more of a rant. Just want to vent to fellow privacy minded people.