csm.da.us.criteo.net: How Criteo Tracks You for Ads

Criteo’s tracker, csm.da.us.criteo.net, monitors user behavior across websites to build profiles for retargeted advertising. It collects extensive data on your browsing habits, posing a major privacy threat. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is csm.da.us.criteo.net?

This domain is part of Criteo, an ad tech company specializing in retargeting users with personalized ads. It tracks your online activity to show ads based on past behavior, compromising your privacy with detailed profiling.

Data It Collects

When you visit sites with Criteo tracking, it captures:

• IP Address: Reveals your location, often tied to your home or office.
• User ID: A unique tag linking your actions across sites.
• Behavioral Data: Logs browsing history, clicks, and ad views.
• Session ID: Connects actions during a single visit.
• Device ID: Captures codes like IDFA or Android ID for tracking.
• Browser Type: Records your browser, such as ‘Chrome 114.0’.
• Operating System: Logs specifics like ‘Windows 11’ or ‘Android 13’.
• Timestamps: Captures every action with exact timing.

This data builds a comprehensive profile for ad targeting.

Who Gets Your Data?

Criteo shares your information with:

• Advertisers: Companies using Criteo for retargeted campaigns.
• Third-Party Ad Networks: Entities distributing personalized ads.
• Cloud Providers: Infrastructure hosting your tracked data.
• Legal Authorities: Data disclosed if required by law.

How to Protect Yourself

At Privacy Auditor, we’re focused on safeguarding your privacy. Here’s how to minimize tracking by csm.da.us.criteo.net:

• Use Tracker Blockers: Privacy Auditor’s paid service can block Criteo scripts.
• Mask with a VPN: Hide your IP using a VPN like Mullvad.
• Choose Privacy Browsers: Opt for Firefox with tracking protection or Tor Browser.
• Disable JavaScript: Block scripts with browser settings or NoScript, though functionality may break.
• Clear Cookies Frequently: Delete cookies to disrupt tracking.

Combine these measures for stronger defense.

Sources

• Criteo Privacy Policy: https://www.criteo.com/privacy/
• Criteo Documentation: https://www.criteo.com/support/advertisers/

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