App and Browser Usage FAQ
Check here for the latest frequently asked questions.
Still have questions? Reach out to us at support@measureprotocol.com.
What are the rewards for “App & Browser Usage”?
We’ve designed this in a way that you only need to set up “App & Browser Usage” once and then you're ready to accept “App & Browser Usage” jobs and earn rewards. Once your set-up is complete no data is collected until you accept at least one job. When no jobs are active we don’t take your “App & Browser Usage” data.
These jobs will last for different periods of time while we collect your “App & Browser Usage” data, for example 7 days or 3 months. You will earn different levels of MSR points for each type of job while it is active. The jobs that last longer usually pay more MSR points, and you’ll get paid for every job that you have running provided you have the app open in the background at all times and sending in your “App & Browser Usage” data.
These “App & Browser Usage” jobs typically pay a lot more than surveys, so this is a great way to earn MSR points by just keeping the app open in the background. Earning MSR in your pyjamas couldn’t be easier!
What data is being collected for “App & Browser Usage”?
When you have correctly set up your account for “App & Browser Usage” all collection is disabled. We only begin collecting “App & Browser Usage” data once you have agreed to a specific “App & Browser Usage” data request. You may have more than one of these requests running at once. You can see all of these via the “My Data” > “App & Browser Usage” page.
When at least 1 job is running we collect the following “App & Browser Usage” data for the period of time that you agreed to allow this, or until you disable collection (whichever comes first).
Online browsing: This includes the sites users visit and apps they use, including news sites/apps or social networks, and their interactions with them.
Online activities: This includes the search terms you enter and the results of such searches, the videos you view, the products you shop for online, information you enter into forms, the materials you download or upload, the advertisements you see, cookies on websites you visit, information and content on sites or apps that you visit or use and with which you interact and may include personal, financial and health information.
System information: This includes information about the device and browser that you are running on, including the IP address and phone number of the device, how the MSR app is operating, and which other applications are installed or running.
Mobile Usage Information: Refers to information about your use of your mobile. This can include the following types of information:
- Information about your internet browsing habits – how much time you spend browsing the internet on your mobile device or computer, the sites you visit or apps you use, and the terms of any search you carry out.
- Information about your usage of other apps and features (such as the camera, though we do not collect any photos) on your mobile device, including the identity of the apps and features, when you downloaded them, how often you use them and for how long.
- Information about the type of mobile device you own, when and for how long you charge it, its battery status, whether it is switched on, off or in a stand-by or 'Airplane' mode.
- Information about which mobile network you use, which wi-fi networks you connect to, and at what times.
- Information about the volume of data downloaded to your mobile device, the times that you download that data and the method of connection you use (wi-fi or mobile network).
- Information we can deduce from combining the above information – e.g., what apps you were using just before you searched for particular information using your mobile device's internet browser, or how often you call, email or text a particular contact.
- Operating system capabilities to view the contents of your applications such as Accessibility services.
- The AdvertiserID/IDFA of your device.
It looks like “App & Browser Usage” is using lots of data?
When you are set up for “App & Browser Usage” and in a currently active “App & Browser Usage” project, the MSR app will send a tiny amount of data each day over the internet so you won’t notice an impact on your data allowance. Although this is only a small amount, we recommend you have a data plan on your phone, or connect to WiFi whenever possible, or your network provider may charge you.
If you check your data allowance on your phone, you may see data being used by the VPN. The MSR app utilizes a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for us to be able to see which Apps are being used during the period of measurement you agreed to. When apps are used and the VPN is enabled, the data usage is attributed to the MSR App / VPN instead of the App actually in use. The VPN is not actually using any data, it is the app in use that is generating this data.
Take the following example:
- You agree to a “App & Browser Usage” job offer which will use the VPN you have to install
- You then use your device to watch 2GB of videos on YouTube.
- If you then look at the data usage stats, the 2GB data will show as being generated by the VPN and not the app that originally generated the request (in this case, YouTube).
Will enabling “App & Browser Usage” use up my battery?
When “App & Browser Usage” is actively sending data the MSR app will have some impact on the battery in your phone and, in some cases, especially if you are a heavy phone user, you may need to charge your phone during the day to take part in sharing your Passive data.
How will I know if “App & Browser Usage” is working?
A status bar will be present on the Feed page of the MSR when “App & Browser Usage” is working and/or collecting your “App & Browser Usage” data.
The status bar will highlight the number of running jobs. You can click on the status bar to view additional details.
Do I need to leave my phone switched on?
You should leave the MSR app running in the background on your phone when on, but you should do whatever you normally do with your phone. If you don’t have the MSR app open in the background and your phone on you will not send any “App & Browser Usage” data and therefore might not qualify for the rewards for the “App & Browser Usage” job or jobs you’ve signed up for. Also worth highlighting is that if the MSR app is not open in the background we can’t match your profile to survey opportunities either!
Why do I need a passcode when setting up the VPN?
The lock screen passcode is required to be enabled while you have “App & Browser Usage” and the VPN running to a) verify it is you installing the VPN on your device and b) to protect your device from others accessing it while the VPN is running. At the end of your participation, you may wish to remove it. The certificate should automatically be removed once you have uninstalled the MSR app. To check, and to delete the certificate, if it has not automatically done so, follow these steps:
- Go to the Settings menu
- Tap ‘Security’ and scroll to the bottom of the page
- Select ‘Clear Credentials’ and press ‘OK’ when prompted. Don’t worry, this won’t remove any of your saved passwords, email settings or pictures and documents!
Now the certificate is gone, you can remove the lock screen passcode:
- Go to the Settings menu
- Tap ‘Security’ and then tap ‘Screen lock’
- When prompted, enter your pattern or PIN
- Select ‘None’ from the type of lock screen required
Some of my Apps / Websites don’t work when the VPN is connected?
If you experience this, please contact us on support@measureprotocol.com and let us know which Apps/Websites are affected. We are continually monitoring the VPN so your feedback will be a great help to improving everyone’s experience.
Do you see my texts, emails and contact details?
We do not collect content of your telephone calls, SMS/MMS messages or collect any information on mobile phone numbers.
Do you see my social media conversations in apps like Facebook, Snap, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc?
If you experience this, please contact us on support@measureprotocol.com and let us know which Apps/Websites are affected. We are continually monitoring the VPN so your feedback will be a great help to improving everyone’s experience.
Do you see my private banking information in my bankings apps?
No, we only will see when you use your banking apps but we do not collect or process information about what you do when you are using them.
Do you see the media I consume?
Yes, but this is limited to:
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
- YouTube
- BBC iPlayer, BBC iPlayer Radio, BBC Sounds, BBC News, ITV Hub, Sky Go, All 4 if you are in the UK
And this is limited to us collecting and processing data only about the content you read/see/watch/interact with in these apps. We don’t collect other information from within these apps like account details etc.
Do you see the products I buy?
Yes, but this is limited to:
- Amazon
- Walmart if you are in North America
And this is limited to us collecting and processing data only about the purchase events in these apps. We don’t collect other information from within these apps like account details etc.
Do you collect location information about me?
No, at this moment in time we’ve not enabled location data to be captured. We will tell you by way of a privacy policy update if this changes.
Do you collect audio / sounds that are around my device, like music tracks, TV programmes, conversations?
No, we do not collect this data. We will tell you by way of a privacy policy update if this changes.
How is my “App & Browser Usage” data collected & processed?
Your “App & Browser Usage” data is collected and processed by our appointed 3rd party data processor as per our Privacy Policy. The processor collects your “App & Browser Usage” data via the app using the VPN and Accessibility settings you enabled. Measure Protocol Ltd is the data controller and receives the data from the processor which it uses to fulfil client requests for your “App & Browser Usage” data.
Where is my “App & Browser Usage” data stored?
You Passive data is stored on servers in the Cloud within the European Union (EU).
Who receives my “App & Browser Usage” data?
Your “App & Browser Usage” data is provided to Measure Protocol Ltd clients who have commissioned “App & Browser Usage” measurement study or studies. You will always be asked to agree to this measurement for each client request and will receive rewards for each request provided your device is on and your “App & Browser Usage” data is being collected correctly for each request. We do not directly share your name, email or mobile number with these clients. All your “App & Browser Usage” data is shared along with a unique identifier that only Measure Protocol Ltd can match to your name, email or mobile number, provided your Passive data itself doesn’t contain this information.
Where can I find the privacy policy?
You can find the privacy policy here.
How do I uninstall “App & Browser Usage” tracking?
As an Android user there are a number of options available to you.
If you just want to stop data collection go to the My Data page in the MSR app, scroll down and find “App & Browser Usage”. When you click on this you will see a new page in the app - at the bottom of this page you’ll find the “Disable” button. Click on this and you’ll be asked to confirm you want to disable App & Browser Usage. This action means that all data collection in progress will be stopped and you will not receive any pending or future rewards. You can however reconnect again if you change your mind.
You can also stop data collection by uninstalling the MSR app. Open ‘Settings’, scroll down to Apps, find the app, and then click ‘Uninstall’. Doing this will mean that you no longer are part of the MSR community and all your profile data will be deleted from your device. You will not be able to receive any “App & Browser Usage” and/or Survey and/or Profile offers and will not be able to earn
How do I remove the VPN from my device?
This process may vary depending on the make and model of your device.
As an Android user open Settings on your device and follow these steps to remove the VPN:
- Click on Connections
- Click on More connection settings
- Click on VPN
- Click on the settings icon next to the MSR VPN profile
- Click on Delete VPN profile
- Confirm you want to delete it
Then in order to remove the trusted certificate, on Android open Settings on your device and follow these steps:
- Click on Biometrics and security
- Click on Other security settings
- Click on View security certificates
- Click on User (the default is System)
- Click on Measure
- Click on Remove
- Confirm you want to delete it
How do I remove the Accessibility permission from my device?
This process may vary depending on the make and model of your device.
In order to remove Accessibility permission, on Android open Settings on your device and follow these steps:
- Click on Accessibility
- Click on Installed services
- Click on MSR
- Toggle to “Off”
- Confirm you want to disable it
How do I remove the device permissions from the App?
This process may vary depending on the make and model of your device.
In order to remove device permissions, on Android open Settings on your device and follow these steps:
- Click on Apps
- Click on the MSR app
- Click on Permissions
- Toggle the relevant permissions to “Off”