cdn.branch.io: How Branch Tracks Your App Linking

Branch’s tracker, cdn.branch.io, watches your app linking activity to build attribution profiles. It intrudes on your privacy by capturing behavior data. Here’s what it does and how to stop it.

What Is cdn.branch.io?

This domain belongs to Branch, a deep linking and attribution platform. It tracks user interactions with app links, creating invasive profiles for marketing insights.

Data It Collects

When you use tracked links, it grabs:

• IP Address: Reveals your location, tied to areas.
• Link Interaction: Logs deep links clicked with timestamps.
• Device ID: Unique tag for your device.
• Advertising ID: Google or Apple ID for tracking.
• Page URL: Records app or web pages via links.
• Referrer URL: Tracks source of interaction.
• User-Agent: Notes details like “Mozilla/5.0.”

This data maps your linking behavior.

Who Gets Your Data?

Branch shares your information with:

• App Developer: Using Branch for analytics.
• Third-Party Adtech Partner: For attribution data.
• Legal Authority: Complies with data requests.

How to Protect Yourself

Privacy Auditor defends your data. Stop this tracker with:

• Tracker Blockers: Use Privacy Auditor to block scripts.
• VPN Services: Mask IP with Mullvad.
• Privacy Settings: Limit ad tracking on devices.
• App Permissions: Restrict data access.

Combine for stronger privacy.

Sources

• Branch Privacy Policy: https://branch.io/policies/privacy-policy/

This is a legal disclaimer. All information is provided for educational purposes only.