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Before and after GDPR: Tracking in mobile apps

Author

Listed:
  • Kollnig, Konrad
  • Binns, Reuben
  • Van Kleek, Max
  • Zhao, Jun
  • Lyngs, Ulrik
  • Tinsman, Claudine
  • Shadbolt, Nigel

Abstract

Third-party tracking, the collection and sharing of behavioural data about individuals, is a significant and ubiquitous privacy threat in mobile apps. The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced in 2018 to protect personal data better, but there exists, thus far, limited empirical evidence about its efficacy. This paper studies tracking in nearly two million Android apps from before and after the introduction of the GDPR. Our analysis suggests that there has been limited change in the presence of third-party tracking in apps, and that the concentration of tracking capabilities among a few large gatekeeper companies persists. However, change might be imminent.

Suggested Citation

  • Kollnig, Konrad & Binns, Reuben & Van Kleek, Max & Zhao, Jun & Lyngs, Ulrik & Tinsman, Claudine & Shadbolt, Nigel, 2021. "Before and after GDPR: Tracking in mobile apps," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 10(4), pages 1-30.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:iprjir:250404
    DOI: 10.14763/2021.4.1611
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giannopoulou, Alexandra, 2020. "Algorithmic systems: The consent is in the detail?," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 9(1), pages 1-19.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cristobal Cheyre & Benjamin T. Leyden & Sagar Baviskar & Alessandro Acquisti, 2023. "Did Apple’s App Tracking Transparency Framework Harm the App Ecosystem?," CESifo Working Paper Series 10456, CESifo.

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