When you sit down to watch a video, the last thing you want is to be watched back! But that’s exactly what happens when you use YouTube, streaming services, and smart TVs.
These tools are designed for convenience, but they also collect a lot of personal data. What you watch, how long you watch it, what you click on, what you pause on—they track it all. That information can be used to build a profile on you, show you targeted ads, or even shape your online experience.
Let’s go a bit more into YouTube, which is free to use, but it’s not free from tracking. Google (which owns YouTube) uses your video history, searches, and likes to:
- Target you with ads
- Share data with advertisers and other partners
- Link your activity to your Google account
If you’re signed into your Gmail account, the tracking gets even more personal information from you. Your YouTube behavior is connected to your Gmail, location, and search history.
Private Alternatives to YouTube
If you like watching YouTube videos but don’t want to be tracked, try these two tools:
| Newpipe.net: a free, open-source Android app that provides a lightweight, privacy-focused way to watch and listen to videos from YouTube and some other platforms without using Google’s official YouTube app or services | |
 | FreeTube.com: an open-source, desktop third-party app focused on privacy and ad-free viewing. It lets you browse and watch YouTube content with more privacy. |
You can also watch Youtube videos in Incognito mode on your browser or using a VPN. (We talked about VPNs and how they can be used to hide what you do on the Internet previously HERE.) [[LINK PAGE HERE]].
—- Published January 2026 —-