Charting App Developers’ Journey Through Privacy Regulation Features in Ad Networks

Mobile apps enable ad networks to collect and track users. App developers are given “configurations” on these platforms limit data collection adhere privacy regulations; however, the prevalence of that violate regulations because third parties, including networks, begs question how work through configurations easy they utilize. We study regulations-related interfaces three widely used using two empirical studies, a systematic review think-aloud sessions with eleven developers, shed light present usable provided for developers. find information about is scattered in several pages, buried under multiple layers, uses terms language do not understand. While put burden complying our participants, other hand, see responsible ensuring compliance regulations. To assist building regulations-compliant apps, we suggest dedicating section privacy, offering easily accessible (both graphical code level), testing systems regulations, creating multimedia materials such as videos promote values networks’ documentation.