Apps
Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads Access and Share All 14 Types Of User Data Among 50 Apps: Report
In a recent study, it has been found that 4 apps that are owned by Meta access most user data among 50 apps. Since users can restrict personal data collection on their smartphone, many of them aren’t aware of the types of information being collected.
Analysts at greensmartphones analyzed the personal information collected by the UK’s 50 most popular free apps on the Google Play store. In addition, the firm has also assessed whether the app developer shares any of this info with 3rd parties, and whether they let users request that their data be deleted.
Follow our socials → Google News | Telegram | X/Twitter | Facebook | WhatsApp
As defined by Google Play Store, each category of personal information is relatively broad and contains multiple different types of data. In the chart, the only four apps that collect all 14 kinds of user data are owned by Meta, namely Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Threads.
These four apps not only collect user data but also share the collected data with third parties. However, users can raise a request to get the data collected by the application to be deleted. Check the 14 types of user data list below, followed by the chart of the top 50 apps, and check your favorite apps’ status.
14 Types Of User Data
- Personal information
- Financial information
- Photos and videos
- Audio
- Messages
- Contacts
- Files and documents
- Calendar
- Health/fitness information
- App activity
- Web browsing activity
- Location
- App info & performance data
- Device or other IDs
Analysis of user data collected by the UK’s 50 most popular free apps on Play Store:
How to protect your privacy
- Uninstall any apps you don’t use
- Review app permissions
- How to: Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager.
- Turn off location services
- Hot to: Settings > Privacy > Location, or swipe down from the top of the screen to open the system tray, and then tap the “Location” icon.
- Take advantage of your right to be forgotten
- Carefully review data access rights when installing new apps
WhatsApp is regularly working to introduce an update that will integrate Meta AI directly into its messaging platform. At the moment, WhatsApp is rolling out a new beta update with version 2.24.14.20, which brings the ability for Meta AI to edit photos shared by users.
The new beta update of WhatsApp aims to enhance the image editing and interaction experience by allowing them to ask questions about their photos and receive detailed insights. Additionally, users will be able to make edits to their photos conveniently within the chat interface.
Users of this beta update can see a new chat button. This new button of WhatsApp lets users easily share photos with Meta AI for analysis and editing. This helps users to seek information about objects in their photos and make adjustments according to their preferences.
Furthermore, users have complete control over their photos, including the option to delete them at any time. Through the new feature, WhatsApp makes a more interactive and personalized approach to managing and editing photos directly within the app.
Google Wallet will soon allow US residents to store their Passports. The company is exploring ways to end the need for physical documents via Google Wallet. The next stop seems to be the passports department, which could be virtualized in the future.
X tipster AssembleDebug discovered that Google Wallet is testing a feature to add Passports in the US. The upcoming function will likely allow you to “create an ID pass with your passport.” However, the feature’s availability may be limited to the United States only.
Google Wallet could create an ID pass for a passport. It would allow users to verify their “identity for domestic flights at select airline security checkpoints or online purchases.” It will be sharable for verification with authorities through NFC or QR code scanning functionality.
Passports could be stored in Google Wallet but users should keep their physical copy. Such kind of document is usually required when you travel abroad. Virtualizing documents is OK but it may create regulatory hurdles given the respective country’s laws and acceptance.
Samsung Wallet is also filled with countless features for Galaxy consumers. It also has local payments support such as UPI in India, which offers ease of access. While Samsung Wallet is unsharable, Galaxy users can enjoy the Google Wallet anytime they want.
Here is a screenshot for the upcoming passport support in the Google Wallet.
This is going to be a US only feature. https://t.co/lhXdqLeAcp pic.twitter.com/PiEgjOkfAh
— AssembleDebug (Shiv) (@AssembleDebug) July 4, 2024
Samsung has pushed a fresh update for its Health app, bringing it to version 6.27.0.161. This latest update enhances functionality and addresses various issues to provide a smoother and more reliable experience.
The update is available on the Galaxy Store with a package size of 140.34MB. The update aims to make tracking health metrics, setting fitness goals, and managing wellness routines easier and more efficient.
Additionally, it fixes bugs encountered in the previous version to enhance the app’s stability and reliability further. Overall, the update brings an enhanced way to track health with several functions.
Users can download the Samsung Health 6.27.0.161 update via Galaxy Store >> Menu option >> Updates. Also, you can download the update through the third-party app source link mentioned here.
Notably, Samsung Health v6.27 is reportedly no longer compatible with Galaxy phones running Android 9 or older. Users on these older devices can continue using Samsung Health but will have limited access to services and features without future support.
This change affects devices like the Galaxy Note 9 and S9, with the app now requiring Android 10 or higher to function. While older versions of the app remain usable on Android 8 and 9 devices, they won’t receive official support for bug fixes or new features moving forward.