Archive · 16 Jun 2025
Social Media Apps Top Data Collection, Report Reveals
Some apps on your phone, especially social media apps, collect a lot of your personal information.
A study looked at what data these apps gather, like your name and phone number.
Apps like Facebook, Instagram, and others collect the most data.
The study suggests people should check the settings on their phones and limit what information apps can access, like location, to protect their privacy.
The apps often collect data to make money by selling user data or personalizing ads.
Social media apps, like Facebook and Instagram, collect the most user data.
The report examined 'Data linked to you' to identify data collection practices.
Contact information, such as name and phone number, is commonly collected.
Meta's Facebook, Instagram, and Threads are the top three data-hungry apps.
Users are advised to review and adjust app permissions to protect data.
- Who
- Apteco conducted the study, and the apps include Facebook, Instagram, and others.
- What
- A report reveals which apps collect the most personal data.
- When
- The report is based on a recent study.
- Where
- The study examined apps on mobile devices.
- Why
- To identify and highlight data collection practices of mobile apps.
User Privacy Concerns
App Business Model
Data Collection Practices
User Privacy Concerns
Users are concerned about how their data is used.
App Business Model
Apps offer free services in exchange for data.
- Key Finding
- Social media apps collect the most user data.
- Top Apps
- Facebook, Instagram, Threads
- Data Type
- Contact information (name, phone number, etc.)
- Recommendation
- Review and adjust app permissions.
- Study Scope
- Data linked to individual identity