Apps like Temu or TokTok. Or those cheap electronic devices where you have to download a questionable app and register an account. What exactly is being stolen and what is being done with it? Who is doing it? Why?
Apps like Temu or TokTok. Or those cheap electronic devices where you have to download a questionable app and register an account. What exactly is being stolen and what is being done with it? Who is doing it? Why?
Phone number, email, anything else you put in, plus device and connection data. Also, depending on the app, it could steal passwords, cookies, banking info, etc.
TikTok in particular grabs a list of other installed apps and your entire contacts list as well, IIRC.
Many social media/messenger apps take your contact list and if deny the request it will disable features.
Apps are also interested in how long you stay on a particular page, whether you tap on any ads, and how often you visit particular parts of the application.
The theft is not generally that they’re collecting the data, the theft comes from them not paying you for it, and also usually not telling you they are collecting it. Taking something of value from someone without compensation and permission.
In terms of what they do with it, it isn’t really important since the theft has already happened. But usually the data is sold to advertising agencies, or other application developers, sometimes it is used for research, and it can often make its way to illegal blackmarkets as well depending on the source of the data.
they can also collect much more depending on which permissions it has. IIRC some sensors like movement are not behind permissions.
some collect your behaviour online to extrapolate your personality, habits and to predict you and manipulate you too, thats scarier imo.