Privacy

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How is instagram spying on me? (self.privacy)

submitted 4 months ago by countrypunk to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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I want to preface this by saying that yes, I know that Instagram is bad. I am planning to get rid of it in the future but as of now I have to keep it for communication with people who are only on that platform.

So I have grapheneOS, use protonvpn (free version), use mull as my browser, and do not have google play services enabled on my phone. I do have some apps downloaded through aurora store such as Instagram, whatsapp, mychart, and mint mobile, but the rest came from f-droid.

I have noticed multiple times that after having private conversations on matrix, I get Instagram content in my feed that is scarily accurate to the conversation I had on the other platform immediately after. I know that things discussed in Instagram direct messages and group chat will give suggested content based on those conversations, but I get stuff that that is very specific to what I have ONLY discussed on matrix and didn't look up via my browser.

So my question is how is Instagram doing this and what can I do to mitigate the spying it's doing on my other apps. Thanks.

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[–] PetroGuy@lemmy.ca 17 points 4 months ago (1 children)

this is the real answer. unless you gave the app a bunch of permissions it shouldn't have, they cannot see what you do/say in matrix. but they don't need to. you willingly feed them enough information through location/posts/comments/private messages/friends/contacts/+a very long list of things for them you figure out your interests and serve you tailored ads.

[–] Guntrigger@sopuli.xyz -4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

I'm not so sure. I'm interested in this thread because I had a recent issue like this. I barely use Instagram, hadn't booted the app for a month or something, only have it to support my SO's art account. Never comment/DM, just likes. Had a lengthy in person conversation about tattoos and the idea of getting them at current location. I didnt do any searches on my phone or any other device for that matter. Don't have any tattoos, or ever look at that content on insta (only follow art and wildlife photography accounts). Booted up Instagram that day and was getting purely adverts for local tattoos studios on my feed. Checked my permissions, all disabled. The only explanation I have is that it's somehow still listening. That can't possibly be a coincidence.

[–] noodlejetski@lemm.ee 15 points 4 months ago (1 children)

The only explanation I have is that it's somehow still listening.

or the other person participating in the conversation had looked them up.

[–] Guntrigger@sopuli.xyz 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I had considered that, but that would mean they are collating and amalgamating data coming from a single IP, which is almost as bad as listening to my microphone. Both are data gathering without my permission.

[–] noodlejetski@lemm.ee 15 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

they are collating and amalgamating data coming from a single IP

lol no shit. of course they're aggregating location data, this is how, among other examples, some therapists ended up having their patients recommended as Facebook friends in the past.

if they see someone being frequently in the same location you are and at the same time you are, they will leverage your relationship to serve you ads based on their (and, presumed by the algorithm, shared to some extent) interests.

[–] Guntrigger@sopuli.xyz 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Well how do you combat that if you are in a household or shared network with others who aren't privacy conscious?

[–] noodlejetski@lemm.ee 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

without them changing their habits? you don't.

[–] umami_wasbi@lemmy.ml 3 points 4 months ago

Or connect to a VPN all the time so you appears "not in the same netowork." Still, being an app menas it can just collect the WiFi name and cell tower ID to map our your social connections.