The icsi/netalyzr-android dataset

This dataset was collected by the ICSI Netalyzr app for Android to develop a characterization of how operational decisions, such as network configurations, business models, and relationships between operators introduce diversity in service quality and affect user security and privacy. We delve in detail beyond the radio link and into network configuration and business relationships in six countries. We identify the widespread use of transparent middleboxes such as HTTP and DNS proxies, analyzing how they actively modify user traffic, compromise user privacy, and potentially undermine user security. In addition, we identify network sharing agreements between operators, highlighting the implications of roaming and characterizing the properties of MVNOs, including that a majority are simply rebranded versions of major operators. More broadly, our findings using this data highlight the importance of considering higher-layer relationships when seeking to analyze mobile traffic in a sound fashion. ; [e-mail]