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Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads Access and Share All 14 Types Of User Data Among 50 Apps: Report

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1 year ago

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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.

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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

  1. Personal information
  2. Financial information
  3. Photos and videos
  4. Audio
  5. Messages
  6. Contacts
  7. Files and documents
  8. Calendar
  9. Health/fitness information
  10. App activity
  11. Web browsing activity
  12. Location
  13. App info & performance data
  14. 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

  1. Uninstall any apps you don’t use
  2. Review app permissions
    • How to: Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager.
  3. 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.
  4. Take advantage of your right to be forgotten
  5. Carefully review data access rights when installing new apps
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