Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative has extended its reach to Android, enabling apps to display relevant ads while maintaining user privacy. The beta phase began earlier this year, and Google is now actively informing more users about the latest Ad privacy settings.
Starting in May, select Android users have been receiving prompts about the Privacy Sandbox. The most recent notification reads, “New ads privacy features now available,” offering users greater control over the ads they view while safeguarding their identities.
The Privacy Sandbox operates by noting topics of interest based on recently used apps and allows apps to discern user preferences. Subsequently, these apps can request this information to present personalized ads, and users retain the ability to choose which topics and apps can be used for ad targeting.
Importantly, the Privacy Sandbox achieves this without employing cross-app or device identifiers like Ad ID, storing users’ interests directly on their devices.
For Android 13 users, accessible through Settings > Security & privacy > More privacy settings > Ads, the new Ad privacy preferences unveil a graphic and menu featuring three settings with on/off toggles:
Ad Topics: This setting bases topics of interest on recently used apps, enabling apps to display personalized ads. Users have the flexibility to remove or block specific topics at their discretion, while Android automatically deletes topics on a regular basis.
App-Suggested Ads: Apps can identify user preferences and suggest ads on other applications. Utilizing the FLEDGE API, users have the option to block individual applications from reporting their preferences.
Ad Measurement: This setting enables apps and advertisers to gather performance data for their ads. Users can choose to enable or disable this feature, and Google emphasizes that ad measurement data is routinely deleted.
Please note that Android’s new Ad privacy settings are gradually rolling out through Google Play services and may not be widely available at this moment.