Stop! These Apps Are Tracking You 24/7
These apps collect your private data without you knowing. Find out which ones and how to stop it.
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A new report from Apteco reveals that Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, gather the most personal data from users among all digital applications in 2025. These platforms collect up to 156 unique data points linked directly to user identities.
The findings raise critical concerns over how 'free' digital services often come at the cost of personal privacy. Meta's applications are designed to gather a broad range of personal data, forming highly detailed user profiles for targeted advertising.
Meta is not alone. Other major applications across different sectors are also flagged for collecting significant user information:
* Voice Assistants: Amazon Alexa (115), Google Assistant (56)
* Video Streaming: Amazon Prime Video (64)
* Career Platforms: LinkedIn (124)
* Finance: PayPal (72), Klarna (69)
* Health & Fitness: Strava (60), Flo (40)
* E-commerce: Amazon (83)
* Transport & Travel: Uber (71), Airbnb (64)
Notably, some applications were found to collect minimal or no user-linked personal data. Booking.com, Aldi, Reddit, NHS Couch to 5K, and certain AI chatbots fall into this category, often requiring no login or identity confirmation.
Apteco identified key data categories frequently harvested by apps:
* Contact Details: Names, phone numbers, and home addresses (667 instances)
* Identifiers: Account and device IDs, usernames (546 instances)
* Usage Data: App activity, time spent, interaction logs (469 instances)
Such data enables companies to build in-depth psychographic profiles of users, enabling precision advertising and curated content delivery based on behavioral predictions.
Recommendations for Users:
* Avoid entering sensitive health or financial data unless necessary
* Review and adjust app permissions regularly
* Limit ad tracking through device settings
* Consider using paid apps with clearer privacy practices
* Delete unused applications to reduce risk
* Stay updated on privacy-related developments
The report highlights the tradeoff users face in today's digital environment: access versus privacy. As data becomes currency, users are urged to remain informed and cautious.
