Are Your Apps Spying on You?
The continuous development of technology has affected many people's lives. Most of the time, people consider technology as something that makes their lives and routines easier, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a way, technology has shaped how people live. It has given people convenience. Imagine paying your bills in the comforts of your homes or having your grocery supplies delivered at your front door.
These are all products of technological advancement. But what if technology's convenience robs you of your data?
Reports have circulated that certain mobile apps can spy, listen, and watch its users in service of selling ads.
Apps Spying on You
In a July 13 Mobile Marketer report, LinkedIn allegedly collected sensitive information about iPhone and iPad apps.
Adam Bauer filed a lawsuit in San Francisco, seeking class-action status. LinkedIn was accused of secretly reading the contents of people's digital clipboards that are used to copy and paste photos and texts.
The activity was discovered after Apple released the test version of iOS 14, which has a new feature that alerts iPhone and iPad users when apps copy clipboard contents. However, LinkedIn said it is a code bug in its iOS apps and vowed to fix it.
Another Apple's iOS 14 user has also complained of spying activity on Instagram.
Twitter user KevDov shared a screenshot on the platform showing Instagram had reactivated his iPhone camera while scrolling through the site.
"Casually browsing Instagram when suddenly the new iOS 14 camera/microphone indicator comes on. Then the control pane ratted out the app behind it. This is going to change things," he was quoted in a report.
However, a spokesperson told reporters that a bug caused the incident that the social media site is trying to correct.
The spokesperson said that they only access the users' camera when they tell us to, adding that no content is recorded.
How Can Users Protect Themselves from "Spying"?
You can take simple precautions to maintain your data privacy and prevent spying on you, such as identifying which apps have permission to use your camera and microphone.
Ask yourself if you use the camera and microphone if you are using the app. If not, do not grant permission on the said apps.
This might sound tedious but read the app's privacy policy to know what you are looking at.
TikTok has been reported for collecting huge amounts of user data, even though the app included the list of its data collection policies in its privacy notice.
Another measure you can do is download an app that will notify you when your camera and microphone are in use. Apple users will have this feature soon with the upcoming iOS 14 update.
If you are still not feeling secure with this, you can grab a vinyl sticker than you can put on your front and rear cameras. You can remove them if you're ready to use them. Vinyl stickers are better than the regular one as they do not leave a sticky residue after.
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