Instagram and Facebook rank as the most invasive smartphone apps, collecting 32 out of 35 specific data types, according to a new study from software company Inoxoft.
How much does a smartphone know about a person’s life? Based on recent data collection, a lot more than people would like to admit.
According to the data analyzed, the two Meta-owned apps are the most widely used and collect the most sensitive user data, including physical addresses and user IDs. Twenty-five of these indicators are linked to the user. Seven more are linked and used by apps to track user location and behavior.
While the thought of Big Brother watching might seem like a far-off conspiracy theory, social media platforms have become one of the biggest players in the privacy invasion game. How concerned should users be about all the data collected, and how are companies using your personal information?
The Rise of Social Media
Social media has exploded in popularity over the past few decades, with Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram leading the charge for most monthly usage. These platforms allow users worldwide to share their thoughts, photos, and personal information with ease.
Many people use it to connect with friends and loved ones around the world while also making new online friends. While this may seem harmless on the surface, it has also opened up a whole new world of data use for these companies.
What Social Media Knows About Us
Many of us have had the uncanny experience of seeing advertisements for something we were just talking about without ever searching online. It leaves one wondering if our phones or computers are listening.
Probably not. Instead, social media platforms are using sophisticated algorithms to gather and track data on our interests, habits, and behaviors. These patterns help them predict our interests, with the goal of influencing our spending. With this information, they have gotten quite good at guessing what they should advertise next.
What can Instagram and Facebook possibly know about a person? The simple answer is a lot. Every time someone posts a photo or updates their status on Facebook or Instagram, they willingly provide personal information to these platforms.
This includes not only basic demographic information such as age and location but also hobbies and political views. Companies then use this information to drive user engagement and create targeted ads they then show users based on their interests.
Additionally, they don’t just collect what we actively share on social media; platforms can also use cookies to track online activity outside their own apps and websites. When these cookies are accepted, every click, search, and purchase can be tracked and added to a user’s profile.
How Are They Collecting So Much Information?
It’s not just Facebook and Instagram collecting an alarming amount of data; top offenders also include Meta apps Messenger, Threads, and Meta Business Suite. Some retail brands’ apps, like Nordstrom and AE + Aerie from American Eagle Outfitters, made the top 10, illustrating that social media is not the only concern. How do platforms like Facebook get so much information in the first place?
In reality, it’s all in the terms and conditions that users agree to when signing up for these platforms. Even when prompted to give permissions regularly, most people are quick to click “agree” or “accept” without truly understanding what they are giving away.
The Impact on Privacy
With companies collecting so much data, consumer concerns about privacy have become increasingly prevalent. While some may argue they have nothing to hide, extensive data collection can still have serious consequences.
One major concern is the potential for sensitive information to fall into the wrong hands. Behind the scenes, companies often pass along data to third parties for advertising purposes, increasing the risk of a breach. With data breaches becoming more common, it’s not just Facebook and Instagram that have access to our personal information. Hackers can gain access to data, leaving users vulnerable to identity theft and other online crimes.
Another issue is the ethical use of this information. While targeted ads may seem harmless, they can fuel a dangerous cycle of manipulating and reinforcing beliefs and biases. In “AI and Ethics,” David Lauer discusses how companies like Facebook face ethical issues due to algorithms designed to drive engagement. He writes that if platforms prioritized community as claimed, they wouldn’t allow the spread of inflammatory information that creates so-called “echo chambers.” In echo chambers, people only hear from those who share their beliefs rather than being exposed to more accurate and diverse information.
What Can Users Do?
As individuals become more aware of the extent of social media platforms’ data collection, some may feel compelled to delete their accounts altogether. However, for many, social media is an integral part of daily life, and deleting their accounts may not be a feasible option.
Instead, users can take steps to protect their privacy while still using these platforms. This includes regularly reviewing and adjusting privacy settings, limiting the amount of personal information shared online, and being cautious about what links and apps they click within these platforms.
Apple iOS 14.5 and new iPhones explicitly ask users to permit or deny app tracking. For those who are privacy conscious, this update is a step in the right direction to limit data collection and targeted ads.
The Future of Privacy Invasion
While Facebook and Instagram have come under scrutiny for their data collection practices, the reality is that all social media platforms and applications are doing the same in some capacity. As technology advances and companies collect more data, the line between convenience and invasion of privacy increasingly blurs.
It’s important for individuals to stay informed and conscious about what information they are willingly sharing online. The choice ultimately lies with each individual and how much they are willing to share and sacrifice for the sake of convenience and social media connection.
