Apps: Location, Mics, and Your Data Under Spy Alert

Are Your Apps Spying on You? The Shocking Data Demands of Popular Smartphone Applications

In today’s digital age, smartphones have become indispensable tools for managing our lives. We rely on apps for everything from social networking and online shopping to fitness tracking and controlling our smart homes. However, a closer look reveals that many of these apps are collecting vast amounts of our personal data, often exceeding what’s necessary for their core functions. This raises serious concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse of sensitive information.

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A recent investigation shed light on the alarming data demands of popular smartphone apps. Researchers examined 20 apps across various categories, including social media, online shopping, fitness, and smart home devices. The findings revealed that all of these apps request access to “risky” permissions, such as location, microphone, and files, even when such access isn’t essential for their operation.

The Price of “Free”: Paying with Your Data

Many apps are offered as “free” services, but this often comes at the cost of your personal data. Companies can use this data for targeted advertising, potentially influencing your purchasing decisions and even shaping your opinions. The sheer volume of data collected can paint a detailed picture of your life, habits, and preferences, making you vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation.

Permission Overload: How Much Access Are You Granting?

The cumulative effect of downloading multiple apps can be staggering. If a user had all 20 of the investigated apps installed, they would collectively grant a total of 882 permissions. This level of access provides app developers with a comprehensive view of your digital life, potentially compromising your privacy in significant ways.

Which Apps Are the Most Data-Hungry?

The investigation revealed significant variations in the number of permissions requested by different apps. Xiaomi Home, an app for controlling smart home devices, topped the list with a staggering 91 permissions, including five classified as “risky.” Samsung’s Smart Things app followed closely with 82 permissions (eight risky), while Facebook requested 69 permissions (six risky) and WhatsApp asked for 66 (six risky).

“Risky” permissions include access to your microphone, the ability to read files on your device, and precise location tracking. This data is highly valuable to companies, enabling them to create detailed user profiles for targeted advertising and other purposes.

Examples of Excessive Data Collection

• Xiaomi Home: This app requests an extensive range of permissions, raising concerns about the potential for data collection beyond what is necessary for controlling smart home devices.
• Facebook and WhatsApp: These social media giants request a high number of permissions, including access to contacts, location, and microphone, enabling them to track your social interactions and gather detailed information about your habits and preferences.
• AliExpress: This online marketplace was found to send data to China, including to suspected advertising networks, even though this was disclosed in the privacy policy. It also bombarded users with marketing emails after download.
• Temu: This other Chinese-owned online marketplace also heavily pushed users to sign up for email marketing, which many users could easily agree to without realizing.

How to Protect Your App Privacy

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your privacy and limit the amount of data that apps collect about you:

• Check Privacy Information: Before downloading an app, carefully review the data collection information on the app store listing, including the permissions it will request.
• Read the Privacy Policy: Take the time to read the app’s privacy policy, which can usually be found on the app store listing or the company’s website. Focus on the sections that describe data collection and sharing practices.
• Limit or Revoke Permissions: Both Apple iOS and Google Android allow you to control which apps can access your data. Go to Settings, then Apps and Permissions (or similar), to review and modify the permissions granted to each app.
• Delete Unnecessary Apps: If you are unsure about an app’s privacy practices or no longer use it, delete it from your device. Make sure to delete your account data as well.

App Responses to Privacy Concerns

In response to concerns about data collection, several companies have issued statements defending their practices:

• Meta (WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram): Meta stated that its apps do not access the microphone without user involvement and that users must explicitly approve microphone access.
• Samsung: Samsung claimed that its apps comply with UK data protection laws and guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
• TikTok: TikTok emphasized that privacy and security are built into its products and that it collects data to support app functionality, security, and user experience.
• Strava: Strava stated that risky permissions, such as precise location, are necessary to provide the services users request and that it has implemented safeguards around data collection and use.
• Amazon: Amazon said that device permissions are used to provide helpful features and that customers have control over personalized advertising.
• AliExpress: AliExpress claimed that precise location permission is not used in the UK and that microphone permission requires user consent.
• Ring: Ring stated that it does not use cookies or trackers for advertising and that all permissions are used to provide user-facing features.
• Temu: Temu stated that precise location permission is used to support completing an address based on GPS location but is not used in the UK market.

Staying Informed and Vigilant

It is crucial to stay informed about the data collection practices of the apps you use and to take proactive steps to protect your privacy. By carefully reviewing permissions, reading privacy policies, and limiting data access, you can reduce your digital footprint and minimize the risk of your personal information being misused. Remember, your data is valuable, and it’s your right to control how it’s collected and used.

Total Permissions by App (Table)

| APP NAME | TOTAL PERMISSIONS | RISKY PERMISSIONS |
| ———————– | —————– | —————– |
| Bosch Home Connect | 22 | 2 |
| Ali Express | 50 | 6 |
| Amazon | 48 | 4 |
| Calm | 23 | 2 |
| Facebook | 69 | 6 |
| Flo | 45 | 1 |
| Instagram | 56 | 4 |
| MyFitnessPal | 34 | 3 |
| Ring Doorbell | 37 | 5 |
| Samsung Smart Things | 82 | 8 |
| Shein | 27 | 4 |
| Strava | 38 | 5 |
| Temu | 12 | 2 |
| TikTok | 41 | 3 |
| Tuya | 48 | 5 |
| WhatsApp | 66 | 6 |
| Vinted | 25 | 2 |
| YouTube | 47 | 4 |
| Xiaomi | 91 | 5 |
| Impulse | 21 | 1 |