At xigxag, we recently undertook a deep dive into our privacy and security architecture. As a certified B Corp and Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks, we believe that human-centric tech starts with honesty about data. The process revealed some uncomfortable truths about how the Big Tech ecosystem actually works.
The SDK Trap
During our recent updates, Google prompted us to integrate more robust consent screens. On the surface, this sounds helpful. As we explored the updates, we realised that the implicit aim seemed to be getting us to integrate the Google SDK (Software Development Kit) into the xigxag app. For example, if we want to show a ‘Google-certified’ consent banner on mobile, we have to install Google’s SDK.
While these kits are marketed as essential tools for developers, they are primarily designed for advertisers. Installing them is like inviting a global data-broker into our app to watch everything our users do.
The Illusion of Do Not Track
We also uncovered a frustrating reality regarding the ‘Ask App Not to Track’ prompt many of you see on your phones. Most users believe this stops the data flow entirely. In many cases, it simply prevents the app developer (us) from seeing the data, while the platform owners (Google and Apple) continue to collect it.
This creates a security theatre that gives users a false sense of comfort. We find this fundamentally at odds with our values.
The xigxag Choice: Rejecting the Status Quo
Because we prioritise the privacy of our customers over advertiser convenience, we have made a definitive choice: We reject the standard in-app SDKs from both Apple and Google. The means we do not get the same level of insight into the effectiveness of our paid marketing, and we have to work much harder to attract new users to the community. But in the end, we believe that the privacy of our customers is more important.
Instead, we strictly limit what we collect and share, which is why we only ever ask for email and password, and a username for publishing reviews (which is optional).
We only ever share anonymised clicks on our website and anonymised download and purchase signals within the app. That is it. No shadow tracking, no behavioural profiling, and no selling your digital habits to the highest bidder.
The Small Business Paradox
Ironically, being honest about the tiny amount of data we do share often raises more suspicion than the hidden tracking used by our competitors. It made us sad to realise that transparency can sometimes look like a red flag in a world where users are used to being tracked in secret.
To address this, we have updated our consent screens again. We want to give you absolute control over even the anonymous sharing we use to measure our marketing.
A Request for Your Trust
Here is the challenge: To build the xigxag community and compete with the global incumbents, we need to know if our marketing is working. Without those anonymous signals, we are flying blind.
We ask for your trust. By opting in to this minimal, anonymous sharing, you aren’t giving away your privacy—you are helping us grow. The more efficiently we can find new listeners, the more we can reinvest in making the xigxag app and community experience richer for everyone.
Thank you for your support and for being a part of the xigxag community. We have the best customers! 💜
Kelli and the xigxag Team
Check out our amazing collection of audiobooks here. Read more About xigxag here. Read our Privacy Policy here
