What Yandex Browser does with user data

Note. To secure your data and keep your search queries and site visits private, follow these general recommendations for protecting your personal information.

Below is a list of situations in which Yandex Browser for Mobile collects and sends data to Yandex servers. All information that is collected by Yandex Browser for Mobile is processed by Yandex according to the terms of the Privacy Policy and License Agreement.

In this article you can learn about:

  • Which data Yandex Browser collects
  • Why Yandex needs this data
  • How to disable the sending of data to a server
  1. Which data Yandex Browser collects
  2. Report a problem or ask a question

Which data Yandex Browser collects

Yandex Browser for Mobile sends data to the server in order to:

  1. Solve technical issues such as increasing the data transfer speed or protecting against viruses.
  2. Collect statistics on browser usage.
  3. Debug and resolve user problems.
  1. Data required for certain features to work
  2. Statistics and crash reports

Data required for certain features to work

The lists below describe the types of data sent, grouped by browser function.

Tableau
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Site addresses added to Tableau Tableau creates its representation of a site based on both the site's favicon and its main color. Manually delete sites from Tableau and the site addresses will be deleted.
Location The set of tiles that appears when you open Tableau for the first time depends on your location. Data is sent one time when you first launch Yandex Browser. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. If you do not wish to send this data, then do not use this browser.
Technical characteristics of the smartphone (model, OS, screen size) To adapt Tableau to different device models for convenience of use. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. If you do not wish to send this data, then do not use this browser.
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Site addresses added to Tableau Tableau creates its representation of a site based on both the site's favicon and its main color. Manually delete sites from Tableau and the site addresses will be deleted.
Location The set of tiles that appears when you open Tableau for the first time depends on your location. Data is sent one time when you first launch Yandex Browser. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. If you do not wish to send this data, then do not use this browser.
Technical characteristics of the smartphone (model, OS, screen size) To adapt Tableau to different device models for convenience of use. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. If you do not wish to send this data, then do not use this browser.
Search
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Unique user identifier To account for the user's personal preferences in search results. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. To avoid sending the data, you can change the default search engine. Your data will not be sent to Yandex, but it may be collected by another search engine.
Interface language on your smartphone Search results are offered in this language.
Other data used when searching To improve the quality of search.
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Unique user identifier To account for the user's personal preferences in search results. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. To avoid sending the data, you can change the default search engine. Your data will not be sent to Yandex, but it may be collected by another search engine.
Interface language on your smartphone Search results are offered in this language.
Other data used when searching To improve the quality of search.
Image search
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
A photo or drawing created by you if you ask Yandex to find similar images. To search for similar images to match a sample. This feature does not work without this data. If you do not wish to send this data, then do not use image search.
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
A photo or drawing created by you if you ask Yandex to find similar images. To search for similar images to match a sample. This feature does not work without this data. If you do not wish to send this data, then do not use image search.
Search suggestions
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Unique user identifier To account for the user's personal preferences. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. To avoid sending data, you can change the default search engine . Your data will not be sent to Yandex, but it may be collected by another search engine.
Interface language on your smartphone Search results are offered in this language.
Location of the smartphone The list of suggestions depends on the location (for example, when searching for “museums”, the browser will suggest major museums in your area).
Characters entered into the SmartBox Suggestions adapt to the characters you enter.
Previous search queries Helps to better understand what you are looking for and create a more relevant list of suggestions.
Clicks on links in search results Helps to better understand what you are looking for and create a more relevant list of suggestions.
Bookmarks If your bookmarks have pages that match your search query, then they will appear in the list of suggestions.
History If you have visited pages that match your search query, then they will appear in the list of suggestions.
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Unique user identifier To account for the user's personal preferences. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. To avoid sending data, you can change the default search engine . Your data will not be sent to Yandex, but it may be collected by another search engine.
Interface language on your smartphone Search results are offered in this language.
Location of the smartphone The list of suggestions depends on the location (for example, when searching for “museums”, the browser will suggest major museums in your area).
Characters entered into the SmartBox Suggestions adapt to the characters you enter.
Previous search queries Helps to better understand what you are looking for and create a more relevant list of suggestions.
Clicks on links in search results Helps to better understand what you are looking for and create a more relevant list of suggestions.
Bookmarks If your bookmarks have pages that match your search query, then they will appear in the list of suggestions.
History If you have visited pages that match your search query, then they will appear in the list of suggestions.
Widgets
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Unique user identifier To account for the user's personal preferences.

To disable displaying widgets when opening a tab:

  1. Tap in the browser (if you don't see this button, press the menu button on your smartphone).
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Go to the Yandex widgets section.
  4. Turn off Display Yandex widgets on the browser main screen.
Interface language on your smartphone Search results are offered in this language.
Location of the smartphone Weather, news, and traffic levels displayed in widgets are selected based on your location.
Technical characteristics of the smartphone (model, OS, screen size) To determine the best widget size.
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Unique user identifier To account for the user's personal preferences.

To disable displaying widgets when opening a tab:

  1. Tap in the browser (if you don't see this button, press the menu button on your smartphone).
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Go to the Yandex widgets section.
  4. Turn off Display Yandex widgets on the browser main screen.
Interface language on your smartphone Search results are offered in this language.
Location of the smartphone Weather, news, and traffic levels displayed in widgets are selected based on your location.
Technical characteristics of the smartphone (model, OS, screen size) To determine the best widget size.
Translation
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Address of open page To determine the language. This feature does not work without this data. If you don't want to send this data, don't use translation.
Text of open page Translate page into another language. This feature does not work without this data. If you don't want to send this data, don't use translation.
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Address of open page To determine the language. This feature does not work without this data. If you don't want to send this data, don't use translation.
Text of open page Translate page into another language. This feature does not work without this data. If you don't want to send this data, don't use translation.
Ad filtering
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Addresses of pages that you have reported. To improve the ad blocking algorithms.

To disable ad filtering:

  1. Click  → Settings.
  2. Under Content blocking, tap Ad blocking.
  3. Disable the Offensive ad blocker and Intrusive ad blocking options.
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Addresses of pages that you have reported. To improve the ad blocking algorithms.

To disable ad filtering:

  1. Click  → Settings.
  2. Under Content blocking, tap Ad blocking.
  3. Disable the Offensive ad blocker and Intrusive ad blocking options.
Protect
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Prefix of the address hash of an open page To block pages containing malware. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. If you do not wish to send this data, then do not use this browser.
Information about downloaded file To check files for the presence of malware. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. If you do not wish to send this data, then do not use this browser.
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Prefix of the address hash of an open page To block pages containing malware. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. If you do not wish to send this data, then do not use this browser.
Information about downloaded file To check files for the presence of malware. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. If you do not wish to send this data, then do not use this browser.
Syncing
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Authorization data on Yandex (email address or social network authorization data). To sync data between your devices and recover data if your phone gets broken or lost.

To disable syncing:

  1. Click  → Settings.
  2. Tap Syncing.
  3. Tap Disable syncing.

You can also be selective in what data you choose to sync.
Tableau
Bookmarks
Encrypted passwords
Autofill data
Open tabs
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable sending data
Authorization data on Yandex (email address or social network authorization data). To sync data between your devices and recover data if your phone gets broken or lost.

To disable syncing:

  1. Click  → Settings.
  2. Tap Syncing.
  3. Tap Disable syncing.

You can also be selective in what data you choose to sync.
Tableau
Bookmarks
Encrypted passwords
Autofill data
Open tabs

Statistics and crash reports

In addition to information that is necessary for certain Yandex Browser for Mobile functions to work, crash reports and anonymized usage statistics are also sent to the server.

Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable data being sent

In addition to reporting feedback to the browser's support service, other information sent is:

  1. Your device's technical specifications (model, platform, operating system version, browser version).
  2. Unique user identifier.
  3. Device region and language.
 For localization and troubleshooting.

Contacting the support service without this data is not possible. If you do not want to send this data then do not contact the support service.

Along with your feedback (  → Settings → Contact us), the browser support staff receives the following:

  1. Unique user identifier.
  2. Your device's technical specifications (model, platform, operating system version, browser version).
  3. Device region and language.
 For localization and troubleshooting.

Data is added to the body of the e-mail; you can delete it manually. It is better not to, however, because this data will help us locate the problem faster.
Crash reports are sent to the server if the browser or individual components close unexpectedly. To detect errors and debug the browser. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. If you do not wish to send this data, then do not use this browser.
When the browser restarts, it checks to see if the local network to which the smartphone is connected includes a SmartTV. If the TV is found, technical information about it (manufacturer, model, serial number, screen resolution, and so on) is sent to the server. To use the TV screen to display video open in the browser.

Disable the Yandex.Remote extension:

  1. Click  → Extensions.
  2. Find the Yandex.Remote extension in the list and toggle the button to Off.

You can also turn off sending statistics to the server:

  1. Click  → Settings.
  2. In the More settings section, turn off Help improve Browser.

Statistics are periodically sent to the server:

  1. Your device's technical specifications (model, platform, operating system version, browser version).
  2. Device region and language.
  3. Navigation statistics.
  4. User clicks on pages.
  5. User requests.
  6. Opened video and audio files.
  7. Changes to browser settings.
  8. Browser processes that are running.
  9. Cookie files (for example, cookies that determine your location).
  10. Other statistical data (user actions, HTTP referrer, etc.).
 To count the total number of Yandex Browser for Mobile users and collect other statistics.
Attention. Data is sent in an anonymized form and is used by the Yandex Browser team to analyze statistics in aggregate. The collection of statistics does not threaten the security of your personal data.
  1. Click  → Settings.
  2. In the More settings section, turn off Help improve Browser.
Type of data Reason(s) for sending How to disable data being sent

In addition to reporting feedback to the browser's support service, other information sent is:

  1. Your device's technical specifications (model, platform, operating system version, browser version).
  2. Unique user identifier.
  3. Device region and language.
 For localization and troubleshooting.

Contacting the support service without this data is not possible. If you do not want to send this data then do not contact the support service.

Along with your feedback (  → Settings → Contact us), the browser support staff receives the following:

  1. Unique user identifier.
  2. Your device's technical specifications (model, platform, operating system version, browser version).
  3. Device region and language.
 For localization and troubleshooting.

Data is added to the body of the e-mail; you can delete it manually. It is better not to, however, because this data will help us locate the problem faster.
Crash reports are sent to the server if the browser or individual components close unexpectedly. To detect errors and debug the browser. It is not possible to use Yandex Browser without this data. If you do not wish to send this data, then do not use this browser.
When the browser restarts, it checks to see if the local network to which the smartphone is connected includes a SmartTV. If the TV is found, technical information about it (manufacturer, model, serial number, screen resolution, and so on) is sent to the server. To use the TV screen to display video open in the browser.

Disable the Yandex.Remote extension:

  1. Click  → Extensions.
  2. Find the Yandex.Remote extension in the list and toggle the button to Off.

You can also turn off sending statistics to the server:

  1. Click  → Settings.
  2. In the More settings section, turn off Help improve Browser.

Statistics are periodically sent to the server:

  1. Your device's technical specifications (model, platform, operating system version, browser version).
  2. Device region and language.
  3. Navigation statistics.
  4. User clicks on pages.
  5. User requests.
  6. Opened video and audio files.
  7. Changes to browser settings.
  8. Browser processes that are running.
  9. Cookie files (for example, cookies that determine your location).
  10. Other statistical data (user actions, HTTP referrer, etc.).
 To count the total number of Yandex Browser for Mobile users and collect other statistics.
Attention. Data is sent in an anonymized form and is used by the Yandex Browser team to analyze statistics in aggregate. The collection of statistics does not threaten the security of your personal data.
  1. Click  → Settings.
  2. In the More settings section, turn off Help improve Browser.

Report a problem or ask a question

If you didn't find the answer to your question or you want to report a problem, please contact the Yandex Browser for Mobile support service.