The intersection of technology and personal privacy has become a very pressing concern, particularly as we approach critical events like Tuesday’s Presidential election. A recent study conducted by Incogni sheds light on how popular dating and social apps collect and share sensitive personal data, including political beliefs. Let’s dive into the findings of this research, the implications for you, and the broader context of data privacy.
What apps are collecting?
The study analyzed data from the most popular apps on the Google Play Store across 36 categories, focusing on how much and what types of personal data these apps collect. With the upcoming U.S. elections in mind, the research highlights how Americans may disclose sensitive information, such as their political beliefs, through social media or by using apps that gather this data. This information can end up on data broker databases and be sold to organizations or individuals for various purposes, including violence, intimidation, and manipulation. The exploitation of data during elections is not new; for example, the Russian firm Internet Research Agency launched a wide-scale campaign to disenfranchise African American voters in 2016.
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Which apps are the most data-hungry?
The findings reveal that dating apps are the most data-hungry, collecting an average of nearly 15 data points per app. Following closely are shopping apps, which collect about 13 data points on average. The study identified a total of 74 apps that collect and sometimes share political or religious beliefs. Most of these are dating apps, with 59 collecting this information and 15 sharing it with third parties. Other categories include social apps, medical apps, and a few from books and reference, business, and finance.
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The risks of data sharing
Many of the apps collecting political and religious beliefs claim to do so for purposes such as enhancing app functionality or analytics. However, this rationale raises concerns about privacy. Some dating apps explicitly state that political and religious beliefs help with developers’ communications, which seems excessive given the sensitivity of such information. If you choose to disclose this information, there is a risk it may fall into unauthorized hands; notably, 21% of the apps that collect this data also share it with third parties.
The analysis found that among the 3,466 apps examined, which included some repeated across different categories, there is an average collection of eight data points per app and an average sharing of three. Dating apps lead in data collection, while shopping apps are at the forefront when it comes to sharing user data with third parties. Despite some categories standing out for their data practices, significant variation exists between individual apps within those categories.
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Political and religious beliefs findings
What really stood out to researchers was the number and sensitivity of data points collected and shared for advertising purposes, especially those revealing political affiliations. A total of 74 apps collect and sometimes share political or religious beliefs; specifically, 59 collect this information but do not share it, while 15 collect and share it. Of these 74 apps collecting political and religious beliefs, 47 are dating apps; seven are social apps; six are medical apps; two each belong to books and reference, business, and finance categories; while one each comes from communication, entertainment, events, health and fitness, lifestyle, parenting, shopping, and watch faces categories.
Most of the apps collecting political and religious beliefs—including Facebook, Messenger, Bumble, Hinge, and Badoo—claim to do so for app functionality. This raises eyebrows as it suggests that collecting such data somehow helps developers improve reliability and overall user experience. Some apps indicate that political and religious beliefs assist with developers’ communications; however, this also feels excessive. Although most of these apps make sharing this information optional for you, it is concerning to consider the questionable purposes behind its collection.
Data incidents involving dating apps
While only ten out of the 47 dating apps collecting political and religious beliefs also share this information with third parties, this does not guarantee that the remaining 37 will never have their data exposed. Data breaches occur frequently in various applications; thus the more places sensitive information can be found online increases its risk of exposure.
Previous research on dating apps reveals numerous security incidents involving popular platforms that have exposed highly sensitive information over the years. For instance, Bumble had an unsecured database that was vulnerable to public access for at least seven months without evidence suggesting that user data had been accessed before resolution. Tinder experienced a breach in late 2019 when approximately 16,000 user profiles had their images scraped and distributed online through a cybercrime forum. Coffee Meets Bagel reported unauthorized access to user data in 2019 but claimed no sensitive information was compromised during that breach.
Facebook has faced numerous incidents involving data security beyond its dating platform; a significant breach occurred between 2018 and 2019 when user data was accessed and leaked in 2021. In another incident in 2019 involving Plenty of Fish—a dating platform—certain hidden user data could be viewed by others on the platform without confirmation that malicious parties exploited this vulnerability.
Tips for protecting your data privacy
1) Invest in personal data removal services: Consider utilizing data removal services that help you manage and delete your personal information from data broker databases, reducing the risk of unauthorized access to your sensitive data.
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2) Be selective with app downloads: Carefully consider which apps you really need and research their data collection practices before installing.
3) Review app permissions: Regularly check and manage the permissions you’ve granted to apps, especially for sensitive information like location or contacts.
4) Opt out of data sharing: Whenever possible, choose to opt out of data sharing options within apps, particularly for sensitive information like political beliefs.
5) Use privacy-focused alternatives: Look for apps that prioritize user privacy and collect minimal data, especially for dating and social networking.
6) Be cautious when sharing personal information: Think twice before sharing sensitive details like political views or religious beliefs, even if apps claim it’s for “improved functionality.” Especially be mindful of the information you share on social media platforms, as this data can be easily collected and analyzed.
7) Enable two-factor authentication: Add 2F, an extra layer of security to your accounts to protect against unauthorized access.
8) Regularly update your apps: Keep your apps up-to-date to ensure you have the latest security patches and privacy features.
9) Read privacy policies: I know it’s a drag, but take the time to understand how apps collect, use, and share your data by reviewing their privacy policies. In the end, you’ll be happy you did.
10) Use strong, unique passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts to minimize the impact of potential data breaches.
11) Use privacy-enhancing tools: Consider using VPNs, encrypted messaging apps, and privacy-focused browsers to enhance your online privacy. ExpressVPN and Surfshark are both trusted VPN services that prioritize your privacy and security and are available on a wide range of platforms, including Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and popular browsers.
1) ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is known for its speed, reliability, and strong privacy features. It offers ultra-fast servers in 105 countries, supports P2P sharing, and allows up to 8 devices to connect simultaneously. Available on a wide range of devices, it features a simple setup that takes less than 2 minutes. ExpressVPN’s strict no-log policy ensures your data is never stored, and all servers run on RAM, so no user activity is saved. With 24/7 live customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee, ExpressVPN is a top choice for privacy-conscious users
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2) Surfshark: Another excellent option, Surfshark provides strong security features at an affordable price. Like ExpressVPN, Surfshark operates under a strict no-logs policy and uses advanced encryption to keep your data safe. One standout feature is Surfshark’s ability to support unlimited devices on a single account, making it ideal for families or users with multiple gadgets.
Both VPNs offer top-notch security, ensuring that your browsing history, IP address, and online activities remain private.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
The results of this research highlight the complex reality surrounding how applications handle user data. While it is common knowledge that most applications collect some form of user information, users must understand that this often includes sensitive details such as voice recordings and political affiliations. In light of the polarized political climate in this country, many of you may wish to keep your beliefs private to avoid potential risks associated with exposure. Ultimately, this research underscores the need for greater transparency regarding how applications manage personal information alongside improved privacy regulations designed to protect individual rights as well as national interests during critical times like elections. You must remain vigilant about your privacy settings while considering whether you are comfortable sharing sensitive information with these platforms.
How concerned are you about the amount of personal data dating and social apps collect and share, especially regarding sensitive information like your political beliefs? Let us know in the comments below.
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This article was created in partnership with Incogni.
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