Dark Side of Free Apps: Are They Stealing Your Data?
Shiva Ganesh
Many free apps collect user data for targeted advertising, tracking browsing habits, and even selling personal information to third parties.
Hidden permissions in free apps often grant access to contacts, location, and microphone, posing significant privacy risks.
Malware-infected free apps can steal sensitive information like banking details, passwords, and private messages without user consent.
Social media apps are among the biggest offenders, harvesting vast amounts of personal data for behavioral profiling and ad targeting.
How to protect yourself: Review app permissions, use trusted sources, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid apps that request excessive data access.