Which chat applications collect the most user data about you?
Apple recently launched a very useful privacy feature in its store. For each application, simple and clear information regarding the processing of user data has been added to the store. So everyone can look at what each application collects for data. We looked at the chat applications where most people reveal the most information about themselves. For development teams, this is one of the best ways to collect data. So which chat applications collect the most user data about you?
Contents
Collection of user data across chat applications
Signal a Telegram
Absolutely the best of those popular chat applications A signal that does not collect any user datawhich could then be used to connect to your identity. The application only requires the phone number, which is needed for the operation itself. The telegram is also excellent compared to other chat applications. Due to the functionality of the application, it collects three different types of datawhich can then be linked to your identity.
Discord
Discord has been gaining in popularity in recent years, especially among game players. As for the very privacy of users and the collection of user data, it is not at all bad if we do not compare it with Signal or Telegram. It collects a total of 17 types of data that it can associate with your identity. It uses them for marketing, analytics and application functionality.
Discord – Talk, Video Chat & Hang Out with Friends
At the beginning of 2020, the WhatsApp application began sharing data with the parent Facebook, which provoked great criticism. In total, it collects 22 different types of data that are associated with you. This is data that is used for advertising, analytics, product personalization, application functionality, and other purposes.
The WeChat application is popular mainly in Asian countries, however, many users can also be found in Europe. WeChat collects 17 different types of datathat can be linked to your identity. They can be used for third-party advertising, analytics and application functionality. Unlike other chat applications, it is specific in that uses data to track across applications and websites. Specifically, the device ID.
WhatsApp is expected to introduce these five innovations in 2021
Marek Houser
Viber
Viber has long been one of the most popular chat applications. It collects a total of 16 types of datawhich can then be connected to your person. It uses them for third-party advertising, custom marketing, analytics, product personalization, and application functionality. It also collects three types of data that cannot be linked to your identity. It uses this data for advertising and application functionality. Like WeChat, however can use data to track across apps and websites. More precisely, it is the device ID and approximate location.
Viber Messenger – Free Video Calls & Group Chats
Facebook Messenger
Now we come to the application, because of which we have prepared basically the whole article on collecting user data. Messenger from Facebook plays a completely different league than other chat applications. In total, it collects an incredible 77 types of datathat can be linked to your identity. A large amount of the same data is used in different categories, which is why the resulting number is so huge. The data is used for third-party advertising, own marketing, analytics, product personalization, application functionality and other purposes.
Messenger – Text and Video Chat for Free
Skype a Google Meet
We also wanted to include chat applications from Google and Microsoft in the list. Unfortunately at the time of writing the article none of these applications have user privacy data available. The reason is that the information was not provided, or Google and Microsoft did not provide it. However, this should change the next time you update these applications. It will definitely be interesting to watch the comparison of user data collection between IT giants.
Skype – free IM & video calls
Google Meet – Secure Video Meetings
Were you surprised at how much user data chat applications collect?
Image source: Freepik
