Have you ever wondered how Facebook and Instagram always seem to show you ads for products you’re interested in? It’s almost suspiciously accurate. Surfshark (a cybersecurity company) analyzed as many as 100 popular apps, including these two. The results are very interesting.
The analysis was based on 32 data points collected by the apps and defined in Apple’s Privacy Policy, including browsing history, payment information, and precise location. Overall, the analysis found that 20% of all collected data may be shared with third parties or data brokers, who then use it to deliver personalized ads targeted at users.
Facebook and Instagram fared the worst and were labeled the “worst apps for privacy.” Seven out of 32 data points were used to track and record data, primarily name, address, and phone number. The remaining data it processes is linked to the user’s identity but is not shared with third parties.
The analysis also included WhatsApp, which is also owned by Meta. It ranks among the top 3 apps that do not use the collected data points—meaning they do not share any data with third parties. The Signal app took first place, as it collects only one data point—a phone number—which is not linked to the user’s identity.
Following its research, Surfshark advises users to be mindful of the permissions they grant within apps. Whenever an app requests a new permission, it’s important to be cautious. You should also find out how your data is processed.
If this research has piqued your interest, you can find more information here: https://surfshark.com/research/study/app-privacy-checker
