Facebook and Instagram were the most privacy-invasive apps, according to Surfshark, which examined all 32 criteria in Apple’s privacy policy. Facebook and Instagram used seven of 32 user data points in the study listing apps. Meanwhile, a US judge sided with Zuckerberg.
A new study found that meta-owned Facebook and Instagram are the most privacy-invasive apps. Surfshark, a cybersecurity company, found that Facebook and Instagram were the most ‘data-hungry’ of 100 popular apps.
It graded apps based on 32 Apple privacy policy parameters, including financial information, browsing history, and location.
The researcher stated, “Since Instagram and Facebook are Meta Platforms products, they collect and handle data similarly. Both apps are the only ones that capture all 32 Apple data points.”
Facebook and Instagram track users using seven of 32 data points, including name, phone number, and address.
The remaining were linked to user identity but not tracked, the research said.
X (previously Twitter) collected less user data but shared it the most.
About half of its 22 unique data points were tracked.
Ten social media and messaging apps were studied, and they acquired more user data than typical.
A US judge ordered Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg to be deposed in a Texas lawsuit over the company’s face recognition technology.
Justice Jeff Rambin ruled on Tuesday that Meta’s appeal “seeking relief from an order compelling the oral deposition” of Zuckerberg at an unspecified date was denied.
Conclusion
According to a Surfshark survey of 100 popular apps, Facebook and Instagram are the most privacy-invasive. Apple scored apps based on 32 privacy policy factors, including financial information, browsing history, and location. X (previously Twitter) collected less but was more willing to disclose user data than Facebook and Instagram, which tracked seven of 32. The article also revealed that Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg must be deposed in a Texas case.
