PayPal quietly enrolled most U.S. users into programs that use your purchase and browsing history to power personalized advertising and “personalized shopping” offers. The changes rolled out with a privacy update that took effect on November 27, 2024, and unless you live in a state with stricter opt-in laws, you were switched on by default. The good news: you can shut it all off in a couple of minutes. This guide walks you through both toggles that matter, plus the device-level advertising ID that ties everything together.
What PayPal Actually Collects (and Shares)
There are two separate features people confuse, and turning off one does not turn off the other. That’s why you need to flip both switches.
- Personalized ads — PayPal uses your “purchase and browsing data to show you products you’re more likely to be interested in,” including on its shoppable storefront ads. PayPal states that your actual payment card numbers aren’t used for targeting — only your shopping interests.
- Personalized shopping — This shares information (products, preferences, sizes, styles) with participating stores and partners so they can send you tailored offers and rewards. The toggle reads: “Let us share products, offers, and rewards you might like with participating stores.”
A quick note on the interface: on PayPal’s privacy screens, a colored/black toggle means ON and a grey toggle means OFF. You’ve only fully withdrawn consent once both relevant toggles read grey.
The 3 Steps to Turn Everything Off
These steps use the desktop web dashboard, which shows every option in one place. The mobile app follows the same menu names.
- Open Data & Privacy. Log in at paypal.com, click your profile icon (top-right) → Settings → Data & Privacy.
- Turn off Personalized ads. Select Personalized ads. Toggle it off — you’ll still see generic ads, but they won’t be targeted using your history.
- Turn off Personalized shopping. Back in Data & Privacy, under Manage shared info, open Personalized shopping and switch the toggle to grey (off).
That’s the core of it. For full coverage, also reset your device advertising ID (see the table below) so apps can’t rebuild a profile from outside PayPal.
Both Toggles at a Glance
| Setting | Where to find it | What it stops | Off state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personalized ads | Settings → Data & Privacy → Personalized ads | PayPal & ad partners using purchase/browsing data to target ads | Toggle grey |
| Personalized shopping | Settings → Data & Privacy → Manage shared info → Personalized shopping | Sharing your shopping info with participating stores/partners | Toggle grey |
| Device advertising ID | Your phone’s OS settings (not PayPal) | Cross-app ad tracking tied to your device | Reset or disabled |
Resetting Your Device’s Advertising ID
Your phone assigns a resettable advertising identifier that apps — including PayPal’s — can use to link activity across services. Clearing it complements the two PayPal toggles.
- iPhone (iOS): Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking, and turn off “Allow Apps to Request to Track.” You can also go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising and disable Personalized Ads.
- Android: Settings → Privacy → Ads (path varies by device) → Delete advertising ID, or reset it.
A Worked Example
Say you bought running shoes and a protein subscription through PayPal last month. With both PayPal toggles ON, PayPal can build a “fitness shopper” interest profile: you start seeing storefront ads for supplements and athletic wear, and a participating store might send you a tailored discount. After you flip Personalized ads to grey, PayPal stops using that history to target ads to you — you may still see a generic banner, but it isn’t built from your purchases. After you flip Personalized shopping to grey, PayPal stops handing your product preferences to partner stores. Reset your phone’s ad ID and the trail from other apps is broken too.
Who’s Opted In vs. Opted Out by Default
Your starting point depends on your state’s privacy law:
- Opt-out states (most of the U.S.): You were enrolled automatically and must turn the toggles off yourself.
- Opt-in states (California, North Dakota, Vermont): PayPal won’t share this data unless you actively turn it on.
PayPal also states it won’t deny service, change prices, or downgrade your experience just because you exercise these privacy rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning these off stop PayPal from processing my payments?
No. Opting out only affects advertising and “personalized shopping” sharing. PayPal continues to disclose the information necessary to complete transactions you initiate — payments, refunds, disputes, and fraud checks all work exactly as before.
Will I stop seeing ads completely?
No — you’ll still see general, non-targeted ads. The toggles stop PayPal from using your purchase and browsing history to personalize which ads and offers you get. If you want fewer ads overall, that’s a separate matter from personalization.
Do I have to change this on my phone and my computer separately?
The two PayPal account toggles are tied to your account, so setting them once (on web or app) applies everywhere you log in. The advertising ID reset, however, is device-specific — do it on each phone or tablet you use.
Does PayPal delete the data it already collected when I opt out?
Opting out stops future use and sharing for personalization; it isn’t automatically a deletion request. If you want existing data removed, look for a data deletion or “manage your data” request option in the Data & Privacy section, or contact PayPal support to submit one under your applicable privacy rights.
The Bottom Line
PayPal’s advertising and personalized-shopping programs are opt-out by default for most U.S. users, and the two switches live in different corners of the same Data & Privacy menu. Flip Personalized ads and Personalized shopping both to grey, reset your device’s advertising ID, and your purchase history stops feeding the ad machine — while your payments keep working normally. It takes about two minutes, and it’s worth doing today.
WalletWisp provides general, informational content only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Settings and menu names can change — verify the current steps in your PayPal account.
