Why is the slim version prefered?

[Raj2032]

Hi I would like to get some clarity regarding the slim version and why this is prefered?

At the moment, TrackerControl Slim, available on the Google Play Store is the preferred tool for tracking analysis, because this version of TrackerControl does not block network traffic

Why is this a good thing?

and additionally resolves contacted domains using TLS Server Name Indication.

What does this mean?

[kasnder]

If you block traffic, not all tracking will be observed. So, the tracking analysis will be incomplete. For SNI, see other resources. This is pretty technical.

[Raj2032]

If you block traffic, not all tracking will be observed.

Yes I understand but like why removing the ability to block Internet traffic is a good thing for the slim version? Why not allow the user to decide if they want to block traffic or not?

[kasnder]

Because you see less tracking if you block, which goes against the aim of TC to analyse ALL tracking.

[Bakr-Ali]

Hi @kasnder,

I understand that blocking traffic reduces the visibility of some tracking, but can't we add a toggle in the main app to unblock traffic for analysis purposes instead of having to download a separate version?

I don't use Google services (including Play Store) and would like to access the slim version's functionality. Could you add this option (toggle blocking/analysing) to the main app? Or if you're for some reason opposed to this, at least provide the APK for the slim version in GitHub releases?

Thanks!

[kasnder]

Hi @kasnder,

I understand that blocking traffic reduces the visibility of some tracking, but can't we add a toggle in the main app to unblock traffic for analysis purposes instead of having to download a separate version?

I don't use Google services (including Play Store) and would like to access the slim version's functionality. Could you add this option (toggle blocking/analysing) to the main app? Or if you're for some reason opposed to this, at least provide the APK for the slim version in GitHub releases?

Thanks!

Try Settings / Advanced Settings / Log transmissions to ADB

This disables all blocking and only logs communications. I think this is also mentioned in the README.md

[Bakr-Ali]

Try Settings / Advanced Settings / Log transmissions to ADB

This disables all blocking and only logs communications. I think this is also mentioned in the README.md

Oh, you mean this part?

It is further possible to enable the direct logging of contacted domains to the console. This is helpful for research studies that instrument apps using an additional computer and can be enabled through Settings -> Advanced options -> Log transmissions to ADB. Note that this disables any blocking.

I skimmed through the readme and didn't catch that, sorry. But is this the same functionality as the Slim version? I thought the Slim version logged the data inside the app (which is more convenient), not to ADB.

If that's not the case and both log data the same way (to ADB), then I suggest changing the README.md to make it more clear that the main app can be used to log everything too just like the Slim version. Especially this part:

At the moment, TrackerControl Slim, available on the Google Play Store is the preferred tool for tracking analysis, because this version of TrackerControl does not block network traffic and additionally resolves contacted domains using TLS Server Name Indication.

Just add a note at the end to make it clear the main app can also NOT block network traffic to achieve the same tracking as the "more preferred" Slim version.

But if they are different, then I suggest adding the functionality of the Slim version to the main version and making it as a toggle in the settings.

[Raj2032]

I see thanks ------- Original Message -------

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On Monday, January 16th, 2023 at 10:39 PM, Konrad Kollnig ***@***.***> wrote: Because you see less tracking if you block, which goes against the aim of TC to analyse ALL tracking. — Reply to this email directly, [view it on GitHub](#365 (reply in thread)), or [unsubscribe](https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AG7P2BXJH7SOJKVZ5BXCMILWSUXPVANCNFSM6AAAAAAT3IGAFU). You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>