Can’t disable app tracking for eBay iOS app

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Level 1

24 points

Can’t disable app tracking for eBay iOS app

For some reason the eBay app never asked me to allow app tracking when the feature was introduced. I tried to disable it manually but there is no switch for eBay in the tracking menu. I am seeing ads in eBay that are related to my safari google searches. I am not logged in to google anywhere on my iPhone except the YouTube app and my eBay login is specific to eBay, not a ‘login with google’ situation.

I thought it was mandatory for all apps to ask for tracking permission? In the app store, the ebay app declares how it tracks you, i just cant turn it off like i can for other apps. Any ideas?

I’m using the Australian app store if that makes any difference.

iPhone 12 Pro

Posted on Aug 31, 2021 7:14 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 31, 2021 7:18 AM in response to whstlblwr

Delete the app and install it again.

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Answer 2

Aug 31, 2021 7:50 AM in response to whstlblwr

There are other ways for businesses to track your web views and purchases that don’t involve your iPhone, or even any device that you own. It can all be done by the businesses servers sharing information with each other. If you log into eBay you can review your privacy settings on your account. You really need to do this with every business you deal with. Especially with Twitter and Instagram.

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Answer 3

Aug 31, 2021 7:32 AM in response to SravanKrA

It is actually strange! Apple mandates developers to ask users for authorisation for tracking.

If eBay app does not ask for such permission following are the possibilities:

eBay does not collect such data
eBay collects data but does not ask for tracking permission

No. 2 is highly unlikely as I personally feel about No. 1. This should be investigating further.

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Answer 4

whstlblwr Author

Level 1

24 points

Aug 31, 2021 9:19 AM in response to SravanKrA

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I tried deleting the app and re-downloading it. I also have 'prevent cross site tracking' enabled in safari settings and I also tried blocking all cookies and clearing all web content for a while but it was too annoying using safari with all cookies blocked.

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Answer 5

whstlblwr Author

Level 1

24 points

Aug 31, 2021 9:32 AM in response to cicada555

This is a screenshot from the appstore page for eBay..

Which rules out option 1.

It seems to me like eBay doesn’t have the option to disable tracking. It seems unlikely that Apple hasn’t noticed it is missing, so have they issued them some kind of exemption? Or maybe it’s a bug?

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Answer 6

Aug 31, 2021 7:35 AM in response to cicada555

I saw you’ve Instagram on the list, which I do not have !! Tough Instagram is installed on my phone.

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Can’t disable app tracking for eBay iOS app

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