We live in an era where our mobile phones know more about us than our closest friends and family. Every app we download asks for permissions to access various elements of the device, collects data and — in many cases — shares it with third parties. The convenience and speed that apps offer us often comes with an “invisible” price: our privacy.
So let's see how you can protect your personal data, without depriving yourself of the digital tools you use every day.
See also: Dating apps: Private photos of users found online
1. Only download apps from trusted stores
Choose legitimate and trusted app stores (e.g. Google Play and App Store) to download apps on your smartphone and ensure privacy. Otherwise, you may end up with malware on your device.
2. Check the permissions requested by each application
When you install a new app, look carefully at what it asks for:
- Access to a location
- Contacts, microphone, camera
- Archives and photos
Ask yourself: Does this app really need this data? If not, don't download the app. Otherwise, if possible, disable access to these apps in your phone's settings. Many times, you can use basic features without giving access at all.
See also: Data security and privacy in the age of artificial intelligence
3. Read (or scan) the Privacy Policy
We know it's boring. But a look at keywords like:
- “sharing with third parties”
- “partners – advertising”
- “data retention”
…can give you insight into how various apps manage your data.
If you see that the app is sharing information with advertising networks or keeping data unnecessarily, you may need to look for an alternative.
4. Prefer apps with transparency and a good reputation
Reputation counts. See:
- App Store / Google Play ratings and reviews
- Open-source alternatives (where the code is open and auditable).
- Applications with privacy certifications , such as “Privacy Shield” or “GDPR-compliant”
5. Delete unnecessary apps = reduce risk
Every installed application is a potential "backdoor" to your data. Delete:
- Anything you don't use regularly.
- What you don't know well.
- Old apps that are not updated or are no longer supported.
Every deletion is a step towards more privacy.
See also: VPNs: How they help protect privacy
6. Don't give your real details everywhere
Why give your real date of birth or email to an app for a… personality test?
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You can:
- Use temporary email.
- Create a special email for registrations (not your main one).
- Avoid social logins (e.g. “Sign in with Facebook”).
7. Use privacy protection tools
- VPN: Hides your IP address and protects your connection on public Wi-Fi.
- Brave or Firefox Focus browser: They filter trackers and ads.
- DuckDuckGo App Tracking Protection (Android): Automatically blocks most background trackers.
8. Activate the security check on your phone
- Enable “Privacy Dashboard” (on Android 12+).
- On iOS, go to Settings > Privacy and see which apps have access to what.
- Regularly audit: which apps you use, what data you share, what notifications you receive.
You don't need to delete all your apps and move to a... village without Wi-Fi. The point is to use it consciously: to know what you're sharing, with whom, and why.
Technology can be an ally, not a threat — as long as you're in control! Be careful about the apps you download and take care of your privacy.
