6 Data Collecting Apps You Need to Delete for Better Privacy

How do you fight back and reclaim your privacy? You need to delete the apps that collect your personal information. That includes deleting your account entirely and asking them to delete your private data.

1. TikTok

Everyone knows that TikTok collects a lot of information about its users. However, Business of Apps reports that the app still has 1.5 billion monthly active users.

If you want to see how much this app knows, you can download all the data TikTok has on you, including biometric data, financial information, and the contents of your clipboard and messages. Then you'll definitely want to delete it!

2. Facebook

Likewise, few people will be surprised to learn that Facebook has a trove of data about its users. That includes when you use Messenger. And even if you don't have a Facebook, Meta, its parent company (which owns Instagram and WhatsApp), still has a hidden profile about you.

So what good is deleting your account? It's damage limitation. Without a profile, friends can't tag you in photos or posts; the platform won't collect a list of all your likes; and any personally identifiable information will be lost.

3. Discord

Few people knew what Discord was collecting about its users. But then it became clear that the server-based service was collecting data sent through chats, including message content and images. And those users began accusing Discord of being spyware.

But it's not that bad. Discord may share data with apps like Twitch so they can work together, but it doesn't appear to sell personal information. However, any content shared with the server is owned by Discord, and the service can detect any games you're playing on your system.

3. YouTube

Having a YouTube account is convenient, but not necessary. Either way, websites and apps can get information about your history, but deleting your account might make YouTube know a little less about you.

The video-sharing platform is owned by Google, and we all know how intrusive Google is. Your viewing and commenting history is aggregated, so when combined with all of its other services, the internet giant can create an accurate digital image of you.

4. Amazon Shopping

Consider how much Amazon knows about you. Based on your shopping history alone, the service can infer a lot about you, your relationships, your location, and more. Not to mention photos, videos, and voice recordings.

You may have seen an Amazon ad on social media that featured something you watched or talked about. There is a lot of debate about whether your smartphone is listening to you, but either way, the idea is bound to make you uncomfortable.

You can still use Amazon in your web browser, but removing the app means it has less control over you and could save you some money!

5. PayPal

We just use PayPal to pay for goods and services, and to receive money. You might think that's relatively harmless. But when lending company OnDeck looked at the data collected by 200 business apps, they found that PayPal collected more data than any other financial app they looked at.

Obviously, PayPal has your contact information, payment information, and transaction history. In addition to that information, the company's Privacy Statement states, "We may make inferences reflecting your personal behavioral patterns and preferences, browsing and shopping habits, and creditworthiness . "

6. Tinder

Dating is about opening up to someone. But with dating apps, you can open up more than you think. Think about everything on your profile, then factor in usage information, location, and face.

Tinder's parent company is Match Group, which owns similar apps like Hinge, Plenty of Fish, Match, OKCupid, and The League. So even if you only use one of these services, your personal data could still be shared between the others—not to mention any other accounts you link to, like Instagram and Spotify. Dating services are one of the types of apps you should avoid if you're concerned about your privacy.