There’s an app for that. A saying coined in the mid-aughts that is just as relevant today. We can do so much from our mobile phones and other devices, and mobile apps are how we do it! From ordering food and scheduling appointments, to reading and tracking fitness goals, the list goes on and on.
With the multitude of apps we use on a daily basis, there is also a trove of data available. Data is a big business, valuable not only to the company whose website or app you are using, but also to the third-party companies that pay to utilize your data!
When you’re on an app or website, a company can use data like recent purchases, preferences, pages you’ve visited, and search terms searched in order to help improve your experience on their platform or gain a deeper understanding of their customer base.
Your data may also be available to third-party tracking, which is when companies allow other parties to track you, often using tracking pixels or cookies. This allows other advertisers to know your interests and online activity so they can serve you ads on other websites or apps. For example, if you spend time on a fitness or running app, you may see ads for running shoes or other exercise equipment when you visit other sites.
While it can seem futile to try and lock down all your data (everything is online these days!) it is important to understand how your data may be used and what you can do to limit access to your data. Even though companies can use your data to help improve your overall experience online, sometimes you may be spammed with certain ads, or find that your personal data has been sold to other companies.
When downloading a new app or using a new service, it is key to know what data is being used or collected, and for what purpose. Sometimes it’s necessary to the function of the app you are using (like your location for a map app, or maybe your camera roll for a social media site), but other times it may not seem like that. It is up to you, as the user, to know what choices are available to you, as well as what your data may be used for.
The number of apps on your device can get out of hand quickly! You think you only need a few apps, and suddenly you have pages and pages of apps-some you don’t even use anymore! Deleting apps, you don’t use anymore is an easy place to start when limiting access to your data. Removing the app from your device removes its access to your data or any other permissions you may have given it.
You should also be aware of what kind of data on your device you have given access to. In the settings of your device, review what permissions applications have (camera roll, location, contact, etc.) and remove any you know aren’t necessary to the function of the app.
Regularly updating your apps also help protect the data that is stored in the app. Updates typically contain security updates that help keep your information protected.
While app stores work to make sure that fake and suspicious apps don’t make its way to the storefront, it’s still important to do your own due diligence in ensuring you’re downloading a reputable application on your device.
When in the app store, carefully review the details. Is the app very new, or not have very many reviews? Are the reviews that are available detailed? If the reviews or description of the app contain grammatical errors or typos, that is a warning sign.
You can also view app permissions in an app store as well. In the Google Play store, expand the “About this App” section and find “App Permissions”. Apple Store users will scroll to the “App Privacy” section.
Do apps really expect users to scroll through and read pages and pages of their policies? Probably not. However, it’s important to review at least one section of their policies: data collection and privacy!
You can scroll through to the right section or do a “Ctrl-F” search for “collect” or “Data” in your browser to find the data collection section.
We live in a day and age where our data is everywhere! While it can be impossible to completely stop the storage of your data (with some data needed for things like taxes, etc.) the most important thing is to be mindful of what information you are sharing. What information is required to share, and what is it being used for? Best practice is to share as little information as possible.
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