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Why is SoftBank showing up in user agent data for Macintosh devices in the US?

10 Marketer opinions4 Expert opinions4 Technical articles1 Resource

Summary

The appearance of SoftBank in user agent data for Macintosh devices in the US is a multifaceted issue stemming from a combination of technical factors, user behavior, and data inaccuracies. It can be attributed to VPN usage routing traffic through SoftBank servers, US users utilizing SoftBank's internet services, specific browser configurations, User Agent spoofing, and proxy servers modifying user agent data. Other factors include international roaming services, Macs purchased from Japanese retailers with embedded SoftBank configurations, SoftBank's email webmail client/apps, devices acquired in Japan by ex-pats, immigrants maintaining old email accounts, CGNAT, and the general unreliability of user agent data. Lastly User-Agent strings can often be fake. Data is often manipulated by caching and proxy servers.

Key findings

  • VPN Usage: VPNs can mask the user's location, making it appear as if they are connecting from a SoftBank-affiliated server.
  • Internet Service Provider: US users utilizing SoftBank's internet services via SoftBank-provided devices could have SoftBank reflected in their user agent data.
  • Browser Configuration: Specific browser configurations incorporating SoftBank settings can cause SoftBank to appear in user agent data, even in the US.
  • User Agent Spoofing: Intentional or unintentional User Agent spoofing can result in incorrect SoftBank identification.
  • Proxy Servers: Proxy servers modifying user agent data can lead to US-based users showing SoftBank in their user agent strings.
  • International Roaming: Users on international roaming services routing through Japanese networks may present SoftBank in their user agent data.
  • Device Origin: Macs purchased from Japanese retailers with embedded SoftBank configurations can result in SoftBank appearing in user agent data.
  • SoftBank Services: Users might be accessing SoftBank's email or other services via apps, leading to SoftBank being identified in the user agent.
  • Immigrant Accounts: Immigrants maintaining old email accounts may inadvertently use SoftBank-related services or configurations.
  • CGNAT Effects: CGNAT can lead to shared IP addresses, potentially misattributing traffic from a US-based Mac to SoftBank.
  • Data Inaccuracy: User Agent data is often inaccurate due to software issues and user manipulation.
  • Fake User Agents: User-Agent strings can be fake, leading to misidentification.
  • HTTP Headers: Middleboxes and caching servers are changing the HTTP headers, making the original headers unrealiable.

Key considerations

  • Data Reliability: User agent data should be treated with caution and cross-validated with other data points due to potential inaccuracies.
  • User Context: Understanding the user's context (e.g., location, service usage, device origin) is crucial for interpreting user agent data.
  • Network Configuration: Network configurations, including VPNs and CGNAT, can significantly impact the accuracy of user agent data and geolocation.
  • Data Manipulation: There is widespread manipulation of the HTTP headers and user agent data, understand who is manipulating and why.

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

SoftBank appearing in user agent data for Macintosh devices in the US can be attributed to several factors. These include users in the US utilizing SoftBank's internet service, VPNs routing traffic through SoftBank servers, specific browser configurations with SoftBank-related settings, or User Agent spoofing. Additionally, proxy servers modifying user agent data, international roaming services routing traffic through Japanese networks, and Macs purchased from Japanese retailers with embedded SoftBank configurations contribute to this phenomenon. User-Agent strings can also be fake.

Key opinions

  • VPN Usage: Users employing VPNs that route traffic through SoftBank servers may exhibit SoftBank in their user agent data, irrespective of their location.
  • Internet Service Provider: US users utilizing SoftBank's internet services via SoftBank-provided devices could have SoftBank reflected in their user agent data.
  • Browser Configuration: Specific browser configurations incorporating SoftBank settings can cause SoftBank to appear in user agent data, even in the US.
  • User Agent Spoofing: Intentional or unintentional User Agent spoofing can result in incorrect SoftBank identification.
  • Proxy Servers: Proxy servers modifying user agent data can lead to US-based users showing SoftBank in their user agent strings.
  • International Roaming: Users on international roaming services routing through Japanese networks may present SoftBank in their user agent data.
  • Hardware Origin: Macs purchased from Japanese retailers with embedded SoftBank configurations can result in SoftBank appearing in user agent data.
  • Fake User Agents: User-Agent strings can be fake, leading to misidentification. Softbank Android phones will fake being macintosh.

Key considerations

  • Data Accuracy: User agent data should be treated with caution due to its potential for inaccuracy stemming from various sources.
  • Network Configuration: Network configurations, including VPNs and proxy servers, significantly impact user agent data and geolocation.
  • Device Origin: The geographical origin and configuration of devices may influence the user agent data reported.
  • User Behavior: User behavior, such as the use of international roaming services, alters the origin and network data associated with a device.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Marketing Over Coffee suggests that a user in the US might have purchased a Mac from a Japanese retailer or reseller that has some SoftBank configuration embedded within the device’s software or network settings.

March 2023 - Marketing Over Coffee
Marketer view

Email marketer from Marketing Stack Exchange explains that User-Agent strings can often be fake. Softbank makes Mobile Phones using the Android operating system, but these also make calls as if they are Macintosh and are also using Chrome.

February 2023 - Marketing Stack Exchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that SoftBank could be showing up due to users in the US using SoftBank's internet service via a SoftBank-provided device (even if it's a Mac), or they might be using a VPN that routes their traffic through a SoftBank server located in Japan or another region.

March 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests it might be people in Japan with an Apple device, basing this on Softbank’s retail page.

November 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Web Analytics Forum explains that proxy servers can modify user agent data. A US-based user routing their traffic through a proxy server associated with SoftBank could see SoftBank showing up in their user agent string.

April 2022 - Web Analytics Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Digital Marketing Blog shares that some users might be using international roaming services. Although their device is physically located in the US, the routing of their internet traffic through a Japanese network associated with SoftBank could explain this phenomenon.

November 2021 - Digital Marketing Blog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that Softbank produces or customizes a wide variety of hardware and depending on the audience it isn't strange to see Softbank in the useragent.

October 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora suggests that some users might be using a browser configuration that includes SoftBank-related settings (e.g., a customized browser version or plugin) even if they are in the US on a Mac.

November 2024 - Quora
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that Softbank is the 2nd or 3rd largest telco/cellular carrier in Japan and also operates Yahoo JP.

November 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow proposes that User Agent spoofing could be in play where the user is intentionally spoofing or masking their User Agent. Certain software or configurations might incorrectly report SoftBank, even if the device and location are otherwise in the United States.

April 2023 - StackOverflow

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

SoftBank's presence in user agent data for Macintosh devices in the US may stem from several factors. These include SoftBank's email webmail client or related apps, the use of devices acquired in Japan by military personnel or ex-pats, immigrants maintaining old email accounts, or, more broadly, the general unreliability of user agent data due to proxy servers, VPNs, and intentional manipulation.

Key opinions

  • SoftBank Services: Users might be accessing SoftBank's email or other services via apps, leading to SoftBank being identified in the user agent.
  • Device Origin: Devices acquired in Japan, potentially by military personnel or ex-pats, could retain configurations that reflect SoftBank.
  • Immigrant Accounts: Immigrants maintaining old email accounts may inadvertently use SoftBank-related services or configurations.
  • Data Unreliability: User agent data is often unreliable due to the manipulation of proxy servers, VPNs, and other means.

Key considerations

  • Data Validation: It's important to validate user agent data due to its inherent unreliability.
  • User Context: Understanding the user's context (e.g., location, service usage, device origin) is crucial for interpreting user agent data.
  • Privacy Implications: User agent data is considered privacy data, be aware of international laws.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that user agent data is often unreliable due to various factors like proxy servers, VPNs, and deliberate manipulation. This unreliability could lead to SoftBank appearing in the user agent data for Macintosh devices in the US even when it's inaccurate.

May 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that lots of people immigrate and keep their old emails from back home, especially if they are free accounts.

December 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that SoftBank had an email webmail client too and maybe they have an app that goes with that.

October 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks hypothesizes it might be a military person stationed in Japan who bought a new phone locally, or an ex-pat who moved to Japan.

July 2022 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

SoftBank's appearance in user agent data for Macintosh devices in the US can be attributed to several technical factors. VPN usage can mask the user's true location, making it appear as if they are connecting from a SoftBank-affiliated server. Furthermore, user agent strings can be inaccurate due to software glitches or deliberate manipulation. Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) can lead to shared IP addresses, misattributing traffic to SoftBank. Inconsistencies in HTTP headers, as well as middleboxes/proxy servers that obscure or modify this data.

Key findings

  • VPN Impact: VPNs can mask the user's location, causing traffic to appear as if it originates from a SoftBank-related server.
  • Data Inaccuracy: User agent strings are not always accurate due to software glitches, incorrect configurations, or intentional manipulation.
  • CGNAT Effects: CGNAT can lead to shared IP addresses, potentially misattributing traffic from a US-based Mac to SoftBank.
  • HTTP Headers: Middleboxes and caching servers are changing the HTTP headers, making the original headers unrealiable.

Key considerations

  • Data Reliability: User agent data should be treated with caution and cross-validated with other data points due to potential inaccuracies.
  • Network Architecture: Network configurations, particularly the use of VPNs and CGNAT, can significantly impact the accuracy of user agent data and geolocation.
  • Security Implications: Understand security best practices to protect your data.
Technical article

Documentation from IETF explains that Carrier Grade NAT (CGNAT) could result in multiple users appearing to share a single IP address. This may lead to traffic from a US-based Mac being misattributed to a carrier like SoftBank, particularly if the CGNAT infrastructure is operated by or associated with SoftBank.

September 2023 - RFC
Technical article

Documentation from Mozilla details that user agent strings can sometimes contain inaccurate or misleading information, and that there may be cases where a Mac device is misidentified due to software glitches, incorrect configuration, or deliberate manipulation of the user agent string.

June 2024 - Mozilla Developer Network
Technical article

Documentation from Apple explains that when a VPN is active, the user's traffic might appear to originate from the VPN server's location. If this VPN server is operated by SoftBank or located in a region where SoftBank has a presence, it may cause SoftBank to appear in the user agent data.

January 2022 - Apple Support
Technical article

Documentation from W3C outlines inconsistencies in HTTP header fields including the user agent which is often not reliable. Middleboxes and other agents in the transmission path will change the HTTP headers. Caching and proxy servers often obscure the original HTTP headers.

March 2025 - W3C

Related resources
1Resource

device-detector-js - npm
device-detector-js - npm

A javascript port of Matomo device-detector. Latest version: 3.0.3, last published: 3 years ago. Start using device-detector-js in your project by running `npm i device-detector-js`. There are 124 other projects in the npm registry using device-detector-js.

npm

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