5 Data Security Tips to Prevent Apps from Stealing Your Data in 2019

2018 was the year of data breaches, 30 million Facebook accounts were hacked. Google Plus's data breach led to the exposure of 52.5 Million users. Quora faced a massive cyberattack that compromised the data of 100 Million users.

Questions were raised on privacy policies of goliaths like Facebook, Quora and Google which harbour the data of the majority of the web users. All this led an outrage among the vulnerable netizens and considering the magnitude of the breach this outrage was justified.

With THE INTERNET being the most visited place in the world there is no certainty that such attacks won't be repeated in the future. Thankfully light still shines at the end of the tunnel. Still, there are ways that can help users to 'think before they act' and take necessary precautions to ensure data security.

Let's take a look at them one by one.

Ask yourself: How Do They Make Money?

If an app or tool is “free,” it’s likely collecting revenue from advertising rather than sales, which means that your data — everything from number of logins to location to the number of times you visit the app in a day —  is potentially being shared with third-party sites, either in a direct or de-identified form

Look for the Company Message and Prioritisation of Security

If a company has a chief information security officer, that likely means that data is being monitored 24/7, making it a critical part of a cybersecurity system. If the company has any users in the EU or does any business with the EU (and this is the case with many companies), they may need to be GDPR-compliant. While there is a long list of requirements for GDPR compliance, one of the most significant is that a company must inform its consumers of a data breach without undue delay and in many circumstances within 72 hours.

Is There A Consent Process?

Is the app or tool upfront and transparent about data use and policies? Do you have a good understanding of how your data will be used after you have been given access to the App?  Apps or tools that do not ask for permission at set up, or mask their data-sharing practices in complicated language are suspects. Pay special attention to third party data sharing, including services like Apple, Alexa, and others; and make sure you are okay with this before you sign up.

Check the Fine Print

Not all data use and sharing is equal. Sharing data in a de-identified and legally-compliant manner can have the positive effect of improving outcomes or performance for the benefit of all users without compromising user privacy. Check the fine print to determine what type of data sharing a company is performing.

Do your Research

It is always a good idea to do your own research. Take the time to do a simple Google search on a company’s privacy and security policies. Look up the third-party sites that are sharing their data. Determine whether you can delete your own data from a site should you choose to. Companies may or may not adhere to regulations of data, but the consumer has the power to hold them accountable.

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier that there is no guarantee that the above-mentioned data breaches won't happen again. So as users it is our responsibility to take precautions to keep our data safe and secure. Follow the mentioned ways and always keep a 'Think Twice Before You Install' mindset as it is your personal data that is at stake.

Author - Anish Sebastian, Co-Founder, Babyscripts