Countless mobile apps are spitting you secretly
An computer scientist of Oxford University has carried out a comprehensive analysis of 1,682 apps from the App Store of Apple on behalf of the website Netzpolitik.org. In detail, the expert should find out which data will be collected from these apps and what the developer there is actually on the product page in the App Store. All apps were elected by random for the test.
- Privacy information should provide more transparency
- Only a few developers make honest information in the App Store
- What does Apple say about the exam in the App Store?
Privacy information should provide more transparency
Ready for some time at the end of the app description in the App Store the information about data protection is placed publicly. Here users are to know which data of the provider collects when using the app. However, this is the details of the developers who have shared some incorrect information in many cases, as the Analysis of the Oxford University has now.
Only a few developers make honest information in the App Store
In the analysis, the developers of 373 of the 1,682 randomly selected apps specified that their software does not collect private data. However, the evaluation of the computer scientist returned that 299 of these 373 apps have already accessed a different tracking domains shortly after opening. Partly even GPS data were delivered directly to Google and Amazon.
What does Apple say about the exam in the App Store?
In a statement, the iPhone manufacturer realizes that developers in Europe are required by the Data Protection Basic Regulation (DSGVO) to make correct information in this regard. For incorrect information, they would violate this directive. In addition, Apple itself – but only for more popular apps – whether the information made actually true.