MACE is a system developed by PIA VPN to help protect user’s privacy and security.
DNS-base blocker
MACE is a DNS-based ad blocker that blocks known advertising, analytics and malware domains. It works like Pi-Hole, but on your phone.
So if you still have installed some apps trying to egress your personal data, track you, show some ads… well, they should be blocked.
It is an excellent way to prevent trackers from sending data.
Download the VPN app with MACE
Due to a Play Store policy, PIA VPN had to remove the MACE feature from the Play Store version. So, il you download it from the Play Store, you’ll never find the feature in the app.
But you can get it by downloading directly the APK from PIA’s web site.
https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/download/android-vpn-app (scroll down).
Note
As it operates at the DNS level, it can only block entire domains and as such won’t block ads that are served from the same domain as legitimate websites. Inversely, it can also in some situations end up blocking an entire website because it tried blocking an ad.
When you enable NetShield Ad-blocker, the DNS server will check these domains against databases of domains known to host malware, ads, or trackers. If any of the domains match, our DNS server will automatically block that resource from loading, keeping your device clean and speeding up your browsing.