A recent report published by The Money Mongers has shed light on the concerning practices of data collection and sharing among popular social media apps. According to the study, Meta’s latest microblogging platform, known as “Threads,” has emerged as the top invader, sharing a substantial 86 percent of user data with third parties. Surprisingly, this invasive trend isn’t limited to Threads alone but extends to other major social media giants like Facebook, Instagram, and more.
The study, which analyzed the top 100 most downloaded apps on the Apple App Store, found that Threads, touted as an alternative to the previously known platform “X” (previously known as Twitter), collects a staggering 72 percent more personal data than its counterpart. The top five culprits in data collection, including Threads, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, and LinkedIn, account for a significant 82 percent of user data. Despite Threads’ successful debut, boasting over 100 million sign-ups within a week of its launch, the platform has since witnessed a decline in active users, mentioned The Money Mongers report.
The report further reveals that 51 percent of these apps share user data with third parties, while 72 percent collect data for their own benefit. Additionally, 7 out of 10 social media apps were found to be the primary data collectors, with 64 percent of them gathering contact information for sharing with third parties.
The study highlights the methodologies employed by these apps in data collection, with iPhone developers primarily resorting to two formats: third-party advertisements and marketing. Contact information is often the most sought-after data, while other information collected includes location details, user-generated cont1ent, health and fitness-related data, and even financial details.
The implications of such data harvesting practices raise concerns over user privacy and the need for stricter regulations to safeguard sensitive information. As the debate on data privacy intensifies, these findings serve as a crucial reminder of the need for greater transparency and accountability in the digital sphere.
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