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21% of the 3,466 apps analysed, shared data with third-parties.

74 apps were found to collect data on political and religious beliefs.

A group of young people looking at their smartphones with multicoloured background collage, featuring buildings, wifi symbols and speech bubbles.

59 state they collect but do not share this data, while 15 state they collectandshare it.

Incogni is a personal data removal service, and it performed well in ourIncogni review.

It automatically removes your personal data from private data brokers and people search sites.

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you might track removal requests, which Incogni regularly repeats to protect your information.

Incogni is also included inSurfshark’s One+ plan.

This raises the question of whether these are the real reasons apps are collecting user data.

Incogni data graph showing the average number of data points collected and shared by app categories

Firstly, you’re able to look for more private alternatives to apps you use.

Read the apps privacy details and check app permissions to determine what data it’s collecting.

Check over its data collection policy to verify youre totally aware of what youre signing up to.

Image showing a user accepting a privacy policy

Asking apps “not to track” can help limit what is shared between apps.

Finally, be cautious about what personal information you share on social media and online.

Dont just focus on posts polls, games, surveys and many other things gather your information.

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, X, LinkedIn, Reddit, TikTok, Threads apps on an iPhone

Always think about what youre sharing and who could use it.

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Chinese flag in the form of microchip

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An open lock depicting a data breach

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