Some of your apps are tracking so much about you that they could write a novel about your life. Social media apps are designed to share personal information about you and your life, and when you start to think about all of the information you share on these platforms, it can become pretty creepy wondering what would happen if that data didn’t stay on the app, but leaked into the universe in other ways.
You may share photos in which you tag your contacts, personal messages about your political beliefs, information about the music and movies you like, links to news articles with which you agree or disagree — and the list goes on and on. Some social media apps don’t even feel like social media because they could provide important services, such as finding you new employment. But if you consider how much of your data they have collected, it’s easy to understand why they could be a concern for your privacy.
These are among the most unsafe social media apps that may sell your personal information.
1. LinkedIn
LinkedIn isn’t an app that is considered dangerous or risky on the same level as other social media apps, but it is collecting a ton of data on you. Your profile alone contains your name, job title, job experiences (which clues people into your location), and LinkedIn has access to your contacts, as well. LinkedIn shares your aggregated data with advertisers and partners to create targeted ads, even if it isn’t revealing your actual identity.
You can control how your data is used, to some extent, by heading to LinkedIn’s privacy settings.
2. TikTok
TikTok is the latest social media app to fall under intense scrutiny for its data collection practices and how it tracks location data. The app’s parent company, ByteDance, is based in China, and concerns have arisen over what the Chinese government could possibly do with the data they collect from its users. It hasn’t always been transparent about its data collection process and many tech experts have spoken out about not downloading or using TikTok to protect your privacy and data.
3. Facebook
You can consider Facebook the OG of social media apps that raised red flags for its data collection practices. Facebook collects a ton of data like your shares, likes, and connections and interactions with other users. It has been found to use data in political advertising and other targeted ads. To keep yourself safe on Facebook, you can delete the app (this is the only way to ensure you protect yourself) or share less and adjust your privacy settings in Facebook so that you aren’t granting the app unnecessary permissions.
