Your data is like gold for nefarious characters who can profit from it. Unfortunately, this isn’t limited to hackers, but extends to include app developers who create apps that find creative ways to collect as much of your data as possible. Once these apps have your data, it can be used to help app developers improve upon their app and make it more enticing to people just like you. It can also be sold to third-party advertisers who use the data to target ads to you.
These four apps are worth considering when you’re thinking about which apps to remove from your phone so that you lighten up your app load and the effect it has on your storage and battery. They could be stealing your data and aren’t worth the hassle.
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1. Free VPN Apps
Be careful with any free app, especially one like a free VPN that often requests access to things it doesn’t need, like your contacts, location, and messages. These apps sometimes use outdated or fake encryption and often turn a profit by selling your browser data to advertisers and third parties.
2. Flashlight Apps
Some flashlight apps have been found to be data-harvesting tools that request access to your location, contacts, call logs, and more. There have even been cases where these apps have installed malware and spyware onto devices. Always read ratings and reviews for apps to make sure the one you want to download is legit and safe.
3. Keyboard Apps
The problem with keyboard apps it that, if they are suspicious, they have access to everything you type. This means passwords, credit card numbers, messages, and other information. Not all of these apps encrypt the data they transmit, either, which means your data isn’t necessarily secure.
4. Cloned Versions of Apps
Although Apple is vigilant about the apps that it allows into the App Store, one scam to be aware of is the cloned app scam, in which identical-looking versions of apps are created to draw users in. Once someone downloads the fake app, it can install malware and spyware onto your device and proceed to steal all of your confidential data. Only download apps from the App Store and always check reviews and rating to be sure it’s a legit app.
