Explainer v2 · case A01 · 60 seconds · graphic
01 / 08 · Setup
INCOGNITO
private mode · VPN · cookies disabled
02 / 08
SHOULD BE ENOUGH.
it isn't.
Russia
2017
YANDEX
Maps · Browser · Navi · Search
USA
2024
META
Facebook · Instagram
04 / 08 · Mechanism
The app listens on your phone.
Browser
incognito + VPN
FB App
logged-in user
Session → identity · no external internet
05 / 08 · Scale
EIGHT YEARS. BILLIONS OF PHONES.
5.8M
sites with Meta Pixel
3M
sites with Yandex Metrica
∞
Android users
06 / 08 · Discovery
JUNE 3
2025
IMDEA
Networks · Madrid
Radboud
University · Nijmegen
KU Leuven
University · Leuven
+ Dan Goodin · Ars Technica
07 / 08 · Reaction
07:45
That same morning, Meta halted the tracking.
08 / 08
LOCAL MESS
Browser sandboxing — bypassed.
Incognito mode — bypassed.
Case A01 in Big Tech Files: full timeline, 12 sources, regulator decisions.