Popular Apps Like Tinder and Candy Crush May Be Tracking Your Location Data

A research finds that apps such as Tinder, Candy Crush, and even VPNs can collect users' location data, frequently without the developers' knowledge. Users should limit location access to protect their privacy and prevent data exploitation.

Popular Apps Like Tinder and Candy Crush May Be Tracking Your Location Data

Dating applications like Tinder and even casual games like Candy Crush may appear innocent, but a recent 404 Media article shows serious privacy problems associated with these platforms. These apps, along with others such as Temple Run and Subway Surfers, apparently access users' location data without their explicit permission or knowledge, posing serious privacy concerns.

According to the report, free apps, which rely heavily on advertising revenue, may expose sensitive user data to third-party organizations. Gravy Analytics, a data broker referenced in the paper, apparently collects location data via these apps without the developers' direct involvement. This means that app creators may be unaware of how their apps are being used to screen critical information.

What's more concerning is that this problem goes beyond games. Fitness applications and VPNs, which are frequently marketed as aids for increased security and health tracking, are also involved in similar data activities. These revelations illustrate a widespread problem that affects billions of people, raising concerns among regulators and privacy activists alike.

Experts recommend that people take proactive measures to protect their privacy. One critical strategy is to restrict location access to apps that truly require it for functionality. For example, apps like Candy Crush do not require location rights to function, therefore blocking this access can help avoid excessive data tracking.

As smartphones become an increasingly important aspect of daily life, users must remain aware and cautious. Protecting personal data is a shared duty, and vigilance is essential for limiting the hazards connected with such invasive actions.

Source : news18.com