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  • Is Mastodon app sending it's package ID to websites a privacy concern?

The Mastodon Android app recently added a release with a PR, that sends an app ID as referrer to the websites it opens from within the Mastodon app. What could the reason be behind adding this? Is this a privacy concern?

    ticklemyIP changed the title to Is Mastodon app sending it's package ID to websites a privacy concern? .

    ticklemyIP I cannot answer your original question myself, perhaps others can provide a valid anwser, but I can point out (some of many) alternative apps.
    I stopped using F-Droid, (because of the security concerns) but here are the some GitHub links of alternative Mastodon apps that you can implement in Obtainium:
    https://github.com/LiveFastEatTrashRaccoon/RaccoonForFriendica
    https://github.com/LucasGGamerM/moshidon
    https://github.com/pachli/pachli-android
    https://github.com/captainepoch/husky
    https://github.com/tuskyapp/Tusky
    You can also get some of these apps on the PlayStore.

        2 months later

        Sempa Well, if the permissions are not invasive it should be fine, but indeed; most of these apps are great for privacy.
        An app that scans for permissions and/or trackers will give a little more clarity in that regard.
        However, using some kind of proxy like TOR or a VPN might give more privacy on top of that, especially if you don't post anything identifiable.
        There is no guarantee though, like with most things online.
        I use Tusky myself, it has no trackers and very small amount of (necessary) permissions.
        Do check trackers and permissions on every update though.

            Sempa Thanks! Sometimes I take things too literally, so the image was quite fitting.
            But I did not make it myself, it was made with AI.

                Sempa
                I mostly use https://github.com/ShiftHackZ/Stable-Diffusion-Android but this time I used this DeepAI website.
                I would not recommend it due to privacy issues, but at least I could do stuff there without needing to login, however, the SDAI app can be used offline and is FLOSS, (Licensed under AGPL) therefore I can only recommend that.
                The quality of results depend on the settings and the model used.
                I think a more powerful machine like a PC can give better results.
                I am not too familliar with AI yet however.