Regular users do not realize all the permissions that are requested by social media apps like Facebook.

These include location, contact info, browsing history, purchases, financial info, and more analytical data.

Instagram Logo

According to data collected by pCloud, Facebook and Instagram are among the top most invasive apps that collect and share user data with third-party vendors.

On the other hand, the likes of Signal messaging app, Clubhouse, Microsoft Teams, Netflix, Skype, Telegram, and Google Classroom collect no data at all.

As per pCloud, Facebook and Instagram collect 86% user data whereas the latter shares 79% user data with third-parties.

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Instagram shares user data the most (Source)

This is basically done for beneficial reasons as Instagram and Facebook tailor user experience according to the collected data.

Also, this data is further used to sell relevant ads and services to users which in turn generates more benefit.

Facebook and Instagram have over a billion users, however, the amount of user data being collected and shared simply raises some serious privacy related concerns.

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Facebook and Instagram collect 86% user data

Signal is among the popular messaging apps out there and what is even more interesting is that the app does not collect and share any user data.

It must be noted that Signal runs on donations made to Signal Technology Foundation which might be one of the reasons why no user data gets collected.

While instant messaging apps do not necessarily generate significant revenue, Signal has been doing a pretty fine job in holding its ground ever since it started way back in 2014.

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Signal app collects 0% user data

That said, we will be back with more such coverage once new information becomes available so stay tuned.

In the meantime, you can check out our dedicated Facebook and Instagram sections to get the latest updates on the topics.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.

Deveshwar Bhardwaj
901 Posts

I'm a techy who is particularly fond of Android smartphones. A writer who usually finds himself on the other side of the spectrum. An artist who likes to sing and play the guitar. Also a photographer when in the mood.

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