If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re a social media user and heavily reliant on your favorite apps. However, your favorite social media apps could be putting you at risk.
For years, tech experts and cybersecurity experts have been warning smartphone users against the dangers of social media. While there are all sorts of safety settings in place these days, there are still ways that social media apps can put you and your data at risk, potentially getting it into the hands of the wrong people. We spoke with tech and cyber experts about two social media apps you should consider deleting because of their safety risks. Read more about them below.
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1. TikTok
TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps of today. It evolved from a platform where people shared short-form, silly videos to an app where people will post cinematic videos, in-depth vlogs, share original music, post clips from movies, and more. While it can be wildly entertaining, when it comes to your data and privacy, some tech experts warn against it.
"TikTok is often cited because of the sheer amount of access it requests," says Jorge Tijerino, founder of JT4Tech. "It collects browsing history, location data, contacts, and even keystroke patterns. Its parent company, ByteDance, is based in China, which raises additional concerns about where that data ultimately goes and how it might be used."
2. Snapchat
Snapchat is an app that's been around for a long time and has also changed drastically over the years. In addition to sending fun or silly pictures that disappear after a few seconds, users can also download their images and save them to their 'memories,' use fun filters, post stories, and more. Still, the app's new features also pose some safety risks.
"Snapchat is riskier than many people realize because of its location features and the way it collects information on usage patterns, contacts, and device data," explains Tijerino. "While marketed as an app for quick, disappearing messages, the amount of background data collection is significant."
"What makes these apps risky is not only the volume of information they collect, but also the lack of transparency about how that information is stored, shared, or monetized," he continues. "For most users, the best step to protect privacy is either to delete these apps entirely or at least limit the permissions granted to them, such as access to location, contacts, and microphone."
