vulcan3.branch.io: Branch’s Invasive Marketing Tracker

The domain vulcan3.branch.io belongs to Branch, a platform for deep linking and marketing attribution. It monitors your app and web interactions to build profiles for targeted campaigns, eroding your privacy. Here’s what it does and how to stop its tracking.

What Is vulcan3.branch.io?

Branch uses this domain to track user behavior across apps and websites, connecting actions to marketing initiatives. It builds detailed profiles for attribution purposes, but this invasive collection happens without transparent user consent.

Data It Collects

When you engage with apps or links tied to Branch, it logs:

• Device ID: Identifies your device for cross-app tracking.
• IP Address: Reveals your location, often down to a city.
• Ad ID: Logs identifiers like GAID or IDFA for ad tracking.
• Click Data: Records clicks on links or ads, tied to campaigns.
• App Usage: Tracks app opens and in-app actions.
• Browser Fingerprint: Logs browser traits for identification.
• User-Agent: Captures device and app info, like ‘iOS App v3.2’.
• Session ID: Ties session actions to one profile.
• Timestamps: Logs actions with exact timing.
• Cookie IDs: Uses codes for cross-session tracking.

This data maps out your digital behavior for marketing use.

Who Gets Your Data?

Branch shares your information with:

• App developer: Uses data for marketing attribution.
• Third-party ad network: Tracks campaign performance.
• Analytics provider: Processes user behavior data.
• Cloud host: Like AWS, for data storage.
• Legal authority: Shares data upon request per policy.

How to Protect Yourself

Privacy Auditor equips you to resist invasive tracking. Here’s how to block this domain:

• Deploy Tracker Blockers: Use Privacy Auditor’s tools to stop vulcan3.branch.io scripts.
• Hide with a VPN: Mask your IP using a VPN like Mullvad.
• Disable Ad Tracking: Turn off ad tracking in device settings.
• Clear Data: Reset app data or caches regularly.
• Reject Cookies: Block cookies to disrupt tracking.

Combine these defenses for robust privacy protection.

Sources

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

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