WHAT THE POLICIES SAY

UC Browser is a mobile web browser operated by UCWeb Singapore Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Alibaba Group, with over 1 billion claimed users concentrated in markets like India and Indonesia. UCWeb's own privacy policy discloses broad automatic collection (device identifiers including Android ID and GAID, precise location when granted, network and usage data, cookies) and routine sharing of device/network information with third-party advertisers (Google AdMob, Facebook Audience Network, Intowow) as well as disclosure to government and legal authorities on request. The App Store privacy label for UC Browser states that location and identifier data may be used to track users across apps and websites owned by other companies. A 2015 University of Toronto Citizen Lab technical analysis ('A Chatty Squirrel') found that UC Browser transmitted personally identifiable information — including subscriber IDs, device identifiers, and search queries — to Alibaba's own analytics and mapping tools and to search partners without encryption, exposing users to interception by network operators or in-path actors. No published third-party security audit or transparency report was found.

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[2025-04-10] · COLLECTION

UCWeb's privacy policy states it automatically collects device information (model, release date, brand, OS version, hardware specifications, Android ID, GAID), usage and network information, and location data when the user grants permission, in addition to optional account information if the user chooses to sign in.

terms.alicdn.com ↗

OWNERSHIP TRANSPARENCY

Wikidata's entry for UCWeb records Alibaba Group as its parent organization, consistent with UCWeb's status as a subsidiary of the NYSE-listed Alibaba Group Holding Limited, which is required to file annual 20-F reports with the SEC.

wikidata.org ↗

[2025-04-10] · OWNERSHIP TRANSPARENCY

UCWeb's privacy policy identifies the operating entity as UCWeb Singapore Pte. Ltd., which offers UC Browser and related services and controls the collection and use of user data described in the policy.

terms.alicdn.com ↗

[2025-04-10] · SHARING

UCWeb's privacy policy states that UC Browser is connected to third-party advertising platforms including AdMob by Google, Facebook Audience Network, and Intowow, with device and network information shared with these advertisers, and separately discloses that personal information may be shared with government or legal authorities in response to a subpoena, court order, or law-enforcement request.

terms.alicdn.com ↗

[2015-05-21] · TRACK RECORD

The University of Toronto's Citizen Lab published a 2015 technical analysis of UC Browser finding that the app transmitted personally identifiable information without encryption, including subscriber and device identifiers sent to Umeng (an Alibaba analytics tool) and geolocation and search queries sent to other first- and third-party services, allowing network operators or in-path actors to intercept the data.

citizenlab.ca ↗

TRACKING TECH

The App Store privacy label for UC Browser (developer entity UCWeb) states that Location and Identifiers data may be used to track the user across apps and websites owned by other companies.

apps.apple.com ↗

[2025-04-10] · TRACKING TECH

UCWeb's privacy policy discloses that UC Browser integrates third-party SDKs, naming Google Play Service SDK, Facebook SDK, and Appflyer SDK, and states these third parties may collect or process user information in ways not covered by UCWeb's own privacy policy.

terms.alicdn.com ↗

LAST REVIEWED 2026-08-19 · METHODOLOGY v1.7