Have you noticed that ads for apps you've long since uninstalled are still appearing on your device? A recent report from Bloomberg suggests that app developers have found a "legal" way to track you even if you've deleted some of their apps.
It seems that there are companies that offer uninstall detection services for Android and iOS app developers. They essentially function as silent push notifications, which developers have long used to refresh their apps' information without having to notify the user.
However, in this case, a silent push notification is specifically sent to check whether the application is installed or not.
Bloomberg writes: “If the app is not returned to the developer, it is recorded as uninstalled, and uninstall tracking tools add those changes to the file associated with the unique advertising ID of that device.”.
Companies like MoEngage, Localytics, and CleverTap offer these “Uninstall tracking” services to app developers. And then companies like T-Mobile and Spotify use these services to win back consumers.
The report also notes that this is a clear violation of Google and Apple's privacy policies. The "silent push notification" system is set up to benefit users, not to trigger uninstall detection.
In conclusion, if you encounter any such type of advertisement, be sure that an app developer is hiding behind it!
