Welcoem to posts!!
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
Do you use a smartphone wallet like Apple, Google, or Samsung Wallet?
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What Private Information Do Apps Collect?
Do you know what personal data you share when downloading and installing an app for your smartphone or tablet? Both Apple and Google (Android) have policies about disclosing what data an app collects that you can see in the app store listings before downloading the app.
You may have scrolled over these statements because you wanted the app or didn’t understand what these privacy statements meant. In this newsletter, I’ll try to help you learn about privacy statements and what they mean.
Apple Apps
Apple provides a detailed framework for developers and consumers, breaking down the data types that apps can collect into several categories. This categorization is part of Apple's privacy labels on the App Store, which aim to make it easier for users to understand how apps use their data.
The privacy statement is shown for each app in the Apple App Store. The information helps you decide whether you want to install the app or not if you understand what it means. So, let’s learn more about them. Remember that each app could be different and collect more or less data than the example shown.
Types of Data You May Share
Here are the main types of data that Apple highlights, each with its specific purpose and examples:
1. Data Used to Track You: This refers to data collected from the app or other companies' apps and websites for advertising or sharing with data brokers. It includes information that tracks your activities across apps and websites owned by companies other than the app maker.
2. Data Linked to You: This category includes any data that can be directly linked to your identity, such as your personal information, financial details, health and fitness information, and more. It's used for functionalities within the app and can be tied back to you as an individual.
3. Data Not Linked to You: Data collected by an app not directly linked to your identity. It can be used for analytical purposes, improving app functionalities, or other uses where the data is anonymized and cannot easily be traced back to you.
4. Data Collected: This general category includes any type of data the app collects, irrespective of whether it is linked to you or used for tracking. It encompasses a wide range of data types, including but not limited to:
- Contact Info: Includes names, email addresses, phone numbers, etc. in your contacts app.
- Health and Fitness: Data from the Health app or fitness trackers.
- Financial Info: Includes payment information, credit score, etc.
- Location: Both precise and coarse location data.
- Sensitive Info: Race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth information, etc.
- Contacts: Information from your contacts list.
- User Content: Emails, audio, gameplay content, etc.
- Browsing History: A record of the web pages you have visited.
- Search History: Information about your search queries within the app or a search engine.
- Identifiers: User or device IDs that can uniquely identify you or your device.
- Purchases: Records of in-app purchases or transaction histories.
- Usage Data: Information on features you use in the app, including app interactions and functionalities used.
- Diagnostics: Data related to app performance, including crash logs and performance monitoring.
Apple's privacy labels are designed to give users a clear understanding of how an app might use their data before downloading or purchasing it, promoting transparency and allowing users to make informed decisions about their privacy.
Android App Privacy
Android does not have "privacy labels" like Apple does with its dedicated privacy information section in the App Store. However, Google introduced a similar concept called the "Data Safety" section for apps on the Google Play Store. This initiative, launched in 2021, requires developers to provide information about how their apps collect, share, and secure users’ data.
The Data Safety section aims to give users a clearer understanding of an app’s privacy practices before downloading it. Developers must disclose the following information:
Data Collection and Sharing: Developers must specify what types of data their apps collect and whether they are shared with third parties. This information covers various data types, including personal, financial, and location.
Data Security: Apps must disclose whether they encrypt data in transit and if users can request data deletion.
Data Usage: The section is intended to explain the purpose behind collecting data, such as app functionality, personalization, and advertising.
Unlike Apple's privacy labels, which are more standardized in their presentation, the Data Safety section on Google Play relies on developers to self-report their practices accurately. Google has stated that it would require developers to provide accurate information and could enforce penalties for misrepresentation, though the verification process for these disclosures differs from Apple's approach.
Wrap-up
Whether you use an Apple or Android device, installing apps can often lead to sharing your personal information. Just be aware that with some apps, you do have a choice, while with others, you don’t. And if you don’t, you can always choose not to use the app.
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Foundation Models are the "everything" of AI. This IBM video does a great job explaining them to people with a bit of understanding of tech.
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Welcome to Bobology! I'm Bob Cohen, a teacher of internet marketing and technology classes for adults at community colleges in California.
My aim is to help people who want to keep up with the rapid changes in technology, online marketing, catch up with the latest trends, and use technology for fun or profit.
Thanks for visiting, and remember to subscribe, like, or comment.
Bob Cohen