Your iPhone experience is greatly enhanced by great apps. And there are plenty of apps out there that can be trusted and aren’t major privacy threats or potentially draining to your battery power. But among the greats there are also apps that require more caution. Some apps are known for posing more of a security risk than others. If you’re doing a little spring cleaning and deleting apps that no longer serve you, many tech experts agree that these five apps are worth considering deleting to protect your data.
TikTok
TikTok has faced scrutiny from security experts due to its data collection practices, which include collecting information on users’ browsing and search histories, location data, and device information, notes Scott Lard, general manager and partner at IS&T. “There have also been concerns about the potential for TikTok to share user data with the Chinese government, as the app is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance,” Lard says. “While TikTok has stated that it stores user data in the United States and other countries and has implemented measures to protect user privacy, there is still a risk that personal information could be compromised. To protect your data, you may want to consider deleting the TikTok app and opting for alternatives that prioritize user privacy and data security.”
Podcasts
Podcast apps collect data such as your listening habits, search history, or device information, which is potentially shared with third-party advertisers or other entities, according to Jordan Farrar, owner and director of Akoca SEO, a renowned digital marketing and e-commerce agency. “Additionally, some podcast apps may have vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers to access your personal data,” Farrar says. “It is important to carefully review the permissions and privacy policies of the app you use, and to regularly review and evaluate your installed apps. It may be best to uninstall it to protect your data.”
Unused or redundant apps
According to Kinjal Vyas, SEO & social media executive at Windzoon Technologies, it’s difficult to pinpoint one particular app that is unsafe or harmful, but there are a few you may want to consider deleting to protect your data and privac — including apps that you never use or that are similar to other apps you already have.
“If you have apps on your iPhone that you no longer use or need, it’s a good practice to delete them,” Vyas says. “Unused apps can potentially contain outdated or vulnerable code that could be exploited by hackers to gain access to your data.”
Free VPN or unsecured Wi-Fi apps
Some free VPN (Virtual Private Networks) or unsecured Wi-Fi apps may pose a security risk by potentially logging your internet activities or exposing your data to third parties, Vyas warns.
Note-taking or productivity apps with sensitive information
If you use note-taking or productivity apps to store sensitive information, such as passwords, financial data, or personal documents, Vyas urged you to make sure to choose reputable apps with strong encryption and security features.
“Always prioritize your own privacy and security when using apps and technology,” Vyas says. “It’s always best to do your own research and stay informed about the latest security best practices to protect your data and privacy.”
