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BEWARE! Apps that use your PRIVATE DATA

Last updated on: January 31, 2013 18:24 IST

Once these apps sit on your smartphones, they filch private data with or without your permission.

You have a smartphone and you're quite happy with it. You play lot of games, use social network apps, and share all your happy moments and you're really satisfied with the smartphone you own.

But have you ever thought that your innocent looking smartphone can be dangerous sometimes?

If you have private data in your smartphone that you don't like to share, or maybe you don't want to let anyone know where you are at times, still using smartphones without knowing their full features, then you are not as smart as your smartphone is.

There are many apps in your phone that grab your private data -- with or without your permission -- and you permit them to do so, maybe even without knowing.

Let me tell you a very simple example so that you can determine the risk.

You have been to some place that you don't want to share with your Facebook friends. But your Facebook auto check-in is turned on or Foursquare determined your location and shared it on your Facebook because you have provided them access to your Facebook profile earlier.

Feeling scared now?

Let's look at some apps that do the same.

BEWARE! Apps that use your PRIVATE DATA

Last updated on: January 31, 2013 18:24 IST

foursquare

Just talked about that; again felt the urge to tell you something.

This app doesn't ask you for any permission to grab your contact book information. Absolutely nothing but it'll scan and take them all. Time to use the service carefully.

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BEWARE! Apps that use your PRIVATE DATA

Last updated on: January 31, 2013 18:24 IST

WhatsApp

This popular text messaging and file sharing app has recently been reported to scan, copy and store users' contact book which appears to contravene international privacy law.

They don't warn you about this but in their privacy policy it is clearly stated that they will take your contact book. Though, no words about storage of the contact book.

Don't Miss: Is WhatsApp violating private laws?

BEWARE! Apps that use your PRIVATE DATA

Last updated on: January 31, 2013 18:24 IST

Apps that take your data after asking you

There are many apps that ask you first for your permission to access your data. Most people don't even notice who is asking for the permission and why is that, they just hit allow. If you are such a person, then you can't actually blame apps for stealing your data.

However, just know the names of them.

Path

Path is a social network. Not popular like Facebook but very convenient as a mobile social network site to share your activities with friends and family.

However, this app asks for your permission to access your data to find out more Path members in your contact list and grab pretty much all user data, including e-mail addresses.

BEWARE! Apps that use your PRIVATE DATA

Last updated on: January 31, 2013 18:24 IST

Facebook

Social networks need your information. For better experience with their apps, they take your user data after asking you. They don't, but if they leak your data then you might be at a risk.

However, Facebook takes e-mail addresses, phone numbers and first and last names of your contacts.

BEWARE! Apps that use your PRIVATE DATA

Last updated on: January 31, 2013 18:24 IST

Twitter

Again, another social network. Grabs the same data that Facebook does.

BEWARE! Apps that use your PRIVATE DATA

Last updated on: January 31, 2013 18:24 IST

Instagram

Though this is a photo sharing social network and not supposed to be needing your contact book, it still searches for contacts in your address book to find matches. e-mail addresses, contact names and numbers.

BEWARE! Apps that use your PRIVATE DATA

Last updated on: January 31, 2013 18:24 IST

Voxer

Voxer is another app like WhatsApp but they have push to talk option. It acts like a walkie-talkie but offers much more than that. However, this apps copies your data too.

BEWARE! Apps that use your PRIVATE DATA

Last updated on: January 31, 2013 18:24 IST

Apps that might not take your data, but still there are 'but's...

There are some apps that don't ask you for access to your contact book, neither do they appear to be taking the data. But they need these data to work; then do they take it without permission? Let's know which ones.

Skype

Skype integrates your contacts with Skype details (if any). How do they do that without accessing your address book?

BEWARE! Apps that use your PRIVATE DATA

Last updated on: January 31, 2013 18:24 IST

Yahoo! Messenger

It's not sure if it really accesses your contact book. But there's assumption that it anyhow links to your address book.

BEWARE! Apps that use your PRIVATE DATA

Last updated on: January 31, 2013 18:24 IST

Google+

Maybe, they link to your address book.

What does the operating system developers say?

According to Apple & Android, accessing users' contact book without permission is violation of their policy.

What should your role be?

Well, definitely be careful. Renowned app developers may not misuse your data but the un-renowned ones might not be quite so noble.