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Everyone knows all the apps on your phone

(peabee.substack.com)
1192 points gniting | 3 comments | 29 Mar 25 21:26 UTC | HN request time: 0.019s | source
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DevKoala ◴[30 Mar 25 01:13 UTC] No.43520286[source]▶
> How is knowing whether I have the Xbox or the Playstation app installed on my phone essential to their Swiggy's core functionality? How will knowing if I have the Naukri or Upstox app help them deliver groceries to my doorstep?

It is for fingerprinting purposes

replies(2): >>43521250 #>>43524110 #
wutwutwat ◴[30 Mar 25 04:08 UTC] No.43521250[source]▶
fingerprinting is the best case scenario
replies(1): >>43521269 #
_heimdall ◴[30 Mar 25 04:12 UTC] No.43521269[source]▶
What's the worst case, in your opinion?
replies(2): >>43521406 #>>43521595 #
hattmall ◴[30 Mar 25 04:41 UTC] No.43521406[source]▶
Targeting and profiling. Reselling the data.
replies(2): >>43521880 #>>43521980 #
1. DevKoala ◴[30 Mar 25 06:58 UTC] No.43521980[source]▶
That is what the fingerprinting is for.
replies(1): >>43522022 #
2. YetAnotherNick ◴[30 Mar 25 07:07 UTC] No.43522022[source]▶
Fingerprinting is just for identifying user, not getting user data. You can potentially resell things like app usage to credit rating company.
replies(1): >>43525277 #
3. DevKoala ◴[30 Mar 25 16:19 UTC] No.43525277[source]▶
That is profiling.

Fingerprinting is an identification mechanism. It is most commonly used for targeting and profiling.