New research conducted by AtlasVPN sheds light on privacy risks associated with popular shopping apps. The study revealed that many of these apps collect a concerning amount of personal data from users, underscoring the urgent need for privacy protection measures. The report identified eBay as the biggest offender, with its Android app collecting 28 data points from users. Other popular apps such as Amazon Shopping, Afterpay, and Lowe’s also ranked high on the list, collecting at least 18 data points. While some of this data may be used to improve app performance, a significant portion contains sensitive financial and personal information.
The most alarming finding of the research is that 58% of shopping apps on the Google Play Store share users’ personal data with third-party companies. This includes data such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, and even residential addresses. Furthermore, 52% of these apps also share users’ device identifiers, enabling third-party companies to track specific devices.
To protect their privacy when using shopping apps, consumers should consider the following precautions:
1. Check the data collection practices of apps before downloading them.
2. Avoid downloading apps from unreliable sources.
3. Review app permissions and limit access to sensitive data.
4. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt internet traffic and hide IP addresses.
5. Regularly clear cache and cookies to prevent tracking.
6. Use a password manager to create strong and unique passwords for each app.
7. Opt out of personalized ads and data sharing whenever possible.
The results of this study should serve as a warning signal for users of shopping apps to take proactive steps in protecting their privacy. By consciously sharing data and implementing privacy-enhancing measures, individuals can reduce the risk of privacy breaches and unauthorized use of data.
Source: [AtlasVPN](https://www.atlasvpn.com/blog/study-finds-popular-shopping-apps-collect-personal-data)
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