Location, contact info, browsing history and identifiers.
Yes. Rakuten Viber Messenger's developer declares location, contact info, browsing history and identifiers as data used to track you — data that can be combined with other companies' data for targeted ads or ad measurement, or shared with data brokers. On iPhone you can refuse: tap Ask App Not to Track, or switch off tracking requests for every app in Settings.
What “tracking” means on an iPhone
Apple defines tracking as linking data from this app with data from other companies' apps, websites or offline sources for targeted advertising or ad measurement, or sharing it with a data broker. It is narrower than “collecting data”: an app can collect a lot without tracking you, and a small app can track you with a single advertising SDK.
Since iOS 14.5, App Tracking Transparency requires every app to ask before it accesses your device's advertising identifier or otherwise tracks you. The App Store label is where the developer declares which of its data is used that way. Rakuten Viber Messenger declares 4 data types, so expect the “Allow Rakuten Viber Messenger to track your activity across other companies' apps and websites?” prompt.
The data Rakuten Viber Messenger uses to track you
Location
Where your phone is, either precisely (street level) or approximately (city or area). Location history reveals home, work and routines. Precise location deserves the most scrutiny.
Contact Info
Your name, email address, phone number or postal address. Contact details identify you directly and are what marketing lists and account recovery rely on.
Browsing History
Websites and other content you viewed that is not part of the app. Browsing history is a detailed record of interests. It is expected from browsers and content blockers and unusual elsewhere.
Identifiers
An account ID, screen name, customer number or a device-level ID such as the advertising identifier. Identifiers let a service recognise the same person or phone across sessions. Combined with other data, they are what makes cross-app tracking possible.
How to stop Rakuten Viber Messenger from tracking you
- When Rakuten Viber Messenger shows the tracking prompt, tap Ask App Not to Track.
- Already said yes? Open Settings › Privacy & Security › Tracking and switch off the toggle next to Rakuten Viber Messenger.
- To refuse every app in one go, switch off Allow Apps to Request to Track on the same screen. Apps then cannot ask, and are treated as if you declined.
- For Apple's own ads in the App Store, News and Stocks, see Settings › Privacy & Security › Apple Advertising and turn off Personalised Ads.
- Inside Rakuten Viber Messenger, look for an analytics or personalised-ads switch in its own settings; it covers data the iOS switch does not.
Rakuten Viber Messenger's full privacy label
Is Rakuten Viber Messenger safe? Every data type explained →
Do other secure messengers track you?
14% of the 172 secure messengers with a label in our snapshot declare tracking; 29% say they collect nothing at all. Nearby in the list:
| App | Tracks you? | Data types |
|---|---|---|
| ChatSecure Messenger | No | 0 |
| SafeChat | No | 0 |
| KeeperChat Encrypted Messenger | No | 3 |
| Skred Messenger | No | 2 |
| twinme+ private messenger | No | 3 |
| Arattai Messenger | No | 3 |
| JusTalk | Yes | 5 |
| Kinzoo | No | 7 |
Check your settings
Done. You have applied every control the label points to.
True or false?
- Right.Not quite.
True: it lists location, contact info, browsing history and identifiers under Data Used to Track You.
- Right.Not quite.
Labels are self-reported by developers. Apple can reject or remove apps that misrepresent practices, but it does not audit each label.
- Right.Not quite.
True: Sensitive Info appears on its label.
- Right.Not quite.
It is collected and sent; the developer says it is de-identified rather than tied to your account or device.
FAQ
How do I stop Rakuten Viber Messenger from tracking me?
Will Rakuten Viber Messenger still work if I decline tracking?
What is the difference between tracking and data linked to me?
Does declining tracking stop all data collection?
Can apps track me without asking?
Is Rakuten Viber Messenger safe? Full privacy report →How to lock Rakuten Viber Messenger on iPhone →Who tracks you? A–Z →All social networking apps →