Unique identifiers

A unique identifier (ID) is assigned to a specific device or item like a smartphone. Some data brokers use these IDs to track your habits and sell or share your data. 

In DROP, you can enter in the IDs for your cell phone, smart TV, or car (VIN). These IDs aren’t always tied to your name, birthday, email, or phone number.

Here’s how you can find the specific ID.

Cell phones or tablets
Mobile Advertising ID (MAID)

A MAID is a unique identifier assigned to a specific mobile device like a smartphone or tablet. It allows data brokers to track a user’s activity within apps and across different platforms for targeted advertising purposes.  

It contains up to 36 characters, including 4 hyphens.

Format: Alphanumeric, 32 characters, 4 hyphens

XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX

Android

To find the MAID on an Android device: 

1. Go to Settings
2. Find Google
3. Scroll to Privacy and security
4. Open Ads. Here you can find your MAID

Apple

Apple in its iOS operating system does not currently provide the IDFA (their name for a MAID) in its user interface. 

If your iOS device has “Allow Apps to Request to Track” (under Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking) set to Off, your device does not currently have an IDFA. This means that there is not a current identifier you can enter into DROP as a MAID for your iOS device. If your tracking is set to On, you can consider switching the setting to Off to stop tracking on your device moving forward (as discussed in the blog post, Understanding Mobile Advertising IDs and DROP).

While CalPrivacy is aware that there are third-party apps that advertise that they can find your IDFA if “Allow Apps to Request to Track” is turned On, please note that CalPrivacy does not require or advise that you use any third-party app with respect to creating your DROP profile. 

Smart TVs
Connected TV ID

A TV ID is a unique identifier assigned to a smart TV. Some data brokers use it to track a user’s activity within apps and across different platforms for targeted advertising purposes. It contains up to 36 characters.

The exact location, format, and name for the ID varies by TV brand. Using your remote, go to your TV settings. You’ll want to look for:

• Support
• System Information
• About
• Device information

Look for something called a connected TV ID, unique ID, or device ID.

Personal vehicles
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

A VIN is a 17-character code, which is a unique identifying code given to a specific vehicle when it’s manufactured.

You can find the code on a plate on the dashboard near the windshield or on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb.

You can also find this number on vehicle registration document, vehicle title, or your insurance documents.