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Ad Psychology

What is Household IP Tracking?

Ad networks group every device on the same Wi-Fi network into one household profile. This is why you may see ads for something another person in your home searched for.

Where it comes from

Ad-Tech Identity Graphs (2010s)

How it hooks you

Exploits the illusion of being overheard: 'my phone is listening' moments are usually the household network being profiled as a single unit.

What the research shows

Data brokers bundle devices into 'household identity graphs', letting one person's search activity target everyone at the same address.

Source: FTC Staff Report, 'Cross-Device Tracking' (2017)

How to resist it

Use a reputable VPN to mask your household IP, and disable cross-app tracking in your OS settings.

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