Scrolling through the Google Play Store or the App Store, you will find countless amounts of free apps. These include games, social platforms, tools and shopping assistants. Most of us enjoy using these free apps, which are downloaded with just one tap and are ready to be used.
But have you ever stopped and thought if you are safe when using these free apps? Whenever you access a free app, the first thing you will be greeted with, are the terms and conditions to download the app. Have you ever given it much thought about what you are really agreeing to when you hit the Install button?
While free apps might not cost any money, they still come at a personal cost, which is your information and personal data. As soon as you hit the install button, all your personal information ends in the hands of persons or companies that own the app.
What are free apps?
Free apps are applications that can be downloaded and used without having to submit an upfront payment. They are grouped into various categories, including social media, shopping and finance apps, games and productivity tools. While these apps are often marketed as free, in reality they often request permission from the user to access personal data to function properly. In this manner, they make money by collecting, analysing and selling your data.
The above groups of applications ask for different permissions to the user. Social Media Apps request access to contacts, location and browsing history, while Utility Apps request user call history. Gaming Apps can track your data through in-game purchases and gameplay behaviour.
How do Free Apps Access Your Data?
During the installation of an app, you are often asked to grant it permissions, even if sometimes without realising. This is mostly done through:
- Requests to access GPS, microphone, camera or contacts lists
- Cookies and trackers that monitor activity and gather data.
Risks associated with Free Apps
Using free apps without understanding their data practices can lead to serious privacy and security risks.
- Identity Theft and Security Breaches
Hackers target leaked or collected data from the app to impersonate users.
- Data Sharing without consent
Many free apps share user data without consent with third parties and other businesses.
- Tracking Beyond the App
Some apps track user activity across multiple websites. When the user is active, they collect data that he is looking for and when the user is offline, they gather the user’s web history and data that he inputted.
Protecting yourself while enjoying free apps
When using free apps, be smart and understand how they work.
- Review app required permissions before downloading. If an app is requesting access to further information than it needs, avoid downloading it. For example, why should a calculator ask for your call history?
- Disable location tracking by turning off real-time tracking and logging out from apps when you are not using them. Some apps can still collect real-time location data when you are offline.
- Check the reputation of the app you are installing and be more aware about the data that you decide to share.
- Use privacy settings within the app to limit data collection, tracking, and personalized ads.
- Use Paid Apps that offer data privacy as a feature.
To protect your privacy, it’s essential to understand the risks associated with using apps -especially those that are free. Always read an app’s privacy policy and make sure you understand how your data may be collected, stored, and used. Only grant permissions that are truly necessary for the app’s functionality. Checking reviews from reputable sources can also help you make informed decisions. Ultimately, ensure that you’re comfortable with the information you’re sharing and aware of the potential impact it may have on your life and the lives of your loved ones.