If you've ever developed for iOS or Android and wanted to release an ad-supported app, then you're probably aware of the plethora of mobile advertising networks available. The APIs they distribute determine what data is used to serve an ad. Some ad networks only require internet access, but others want location, tasks, phone identity, and/or phone state. Often, the networks that seek more data generally provide developers with more ad revenue.
Do men want to see ads for vagisil and maxi-pads? Maybe, but chances are they wont click on those so why waste the time and bandwidth serving irrelevant ads? The more permissions an ad network requires, the more targeted an ad will be... or at least, that's the theory. These data are generally harmless and if they're not collecting your phone number, address, or email address, then it's not like you'll start receiving spam and junk mail. Honestly, Facebook gathers way more identifying information than these apps.
Sadly, the number of ad networks that only require internet seems to be dwindling. I don't know whether using these data to seed ads has any impact on click-through-rates, but if they do, fighting for fewer permissions is going to be an uphill battle. If you're really worried about such permissions, check to see if there's an ad-free alternative and pay for it.
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If you've ever developed for iOS or Android and wanted to release an ad-supported app, then you're probably aware of the plethora of mobile advertising networks available. The APIs they distribute determine what data is used to serve an ad. Some ad networks only require internet access, but others want location, tasks, phone identity, and/or phone state. Often, the networks that seek more data generally provide developers with more ad revenue. Do men want to see ads for vagisil and maxi-pads? Maybe, but chances are they wont click on those so why waste the time and bandwidth serving irrelevant ads? The more permissions an ad network requires, the more targeted an ad will be... or at least, that's the theory. These data are generally harmless and if they're not collecting your phone number, address, or email address, then it's not like you'll start receiving spam and junk mail. Honestly, Facebook gathers way more identifying information than these apps. Sadly, the number of ad networks that only require internet seems to be dwindling. I don't know whether using these data to seed ads has any impact on click-through-rates, but if they do, fighting for fewer permissions is going to be an uphill battle. If you're really worried about such permissions, check to see if there's an ad-free alternative and pay for it.