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The hidden cost of ‘free’ apps<\/p>\n
We all love free apps<\/a>. Whether it’s a shopping deal finder, a weather tracker or a photo editor, they make life easier. But many of these “free” tools aren’t really free; they just don’t charge you money. Instead, they collect your personal information and sell it to make their profit.<\/p>\n A recent study revealed that over half of the most popular foreign-owned apps available in U.S. app stores collect sensitive user data, including your location, contacts, photos and even keystrokes.<\/p>\n Many “free” apps secretly collect personal data from users, sending private information to foreign servers without consent. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/p>\n Some of the worst offenders are apps that seem completely harmless:<\/p>\n Flashlight and weather apps that track your GPS location 24\/7.Shopping apps that collect purchase history, payment preferences and home addresses.Casual games that request access to your camera and contacts for no logical reason.<\/p>\n These apps often share data with data brokers and ad networks overseas, where privacy laws are weaker and accountability is nearly impossible.<\/p>\n HOW SCAMMERS TARGET YOU EVEN WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA<\/a><\/p>\n Why retirees are prime targets<\/p>\n If you’re retired, you may already be on dozens of public databases like voter rolls, real estate listings and charity donor lists. Combine that with information harvested from apps, and scammers can build a frighteningly detailed profile of your life.<\/p>\n Flashlight, weather and shopping apps often request unnecessary access to your camera, contacts and location to track you around the clock. (Portra\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n They can see:<\/p>\n Where you live and who lives with you.What medications you search for.What causes you support or charities you donate to.What devices you own and which banks you use.<\/p>\n From there, they can craft highly convincing scams like fake\u00a0donation requests<\/a>, Medicare scams<\/a> or\u00a0phishing texts<\/a> that look eerily personal. Some even use your social media photos to mimic family members in “grandparent scams.” And it all starts with what you allowed that “harmless” app to access.<\/p>\n Signs your data might already be exposed<\/p>\n You don’t need to be a tech expert to spot the warning signs. Here’s what to look for:<\/p>\n Unfamiliar charges or new accounts in your name.An increase in scam calls or texts, especially with personal details like your city or bank.Emails from foreign domains<\/a> claiming to offer rewards or urgent account updates.Ads that seem to “read your mind,” which show up right after you talk about something offline.<\/p>\n If you’ve noticed any of these, your information is likely circulating through data brokers who purchased it from app networks.<\/p>\n Older Americans are prime targets, but simple steps like deleting risky apps and reviewing permissions can help protect your privacy. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/p>\n How to stop the data drain<\/p>\n You can take back control of your data starting right now.<\/p>\n 1) Audit your apps<\/p>\n Go through your phone and delete any apps you don’t use regularly, especially free ones from unfamiliar developers.<\/p>\n 2) Stop data brokers from trading your info<\/p>\n Even after deleting risky apps, your personal information may already be circulating online. This is where a data removal service can make a massive difference. While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice.\u00a0They aren\u2019t cheap, and neither is your privacy.\u00a0These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites.\u00a0It\u2019s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet.\u00a0By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.<\/p>\n Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting\u00a0CyberGuy.com<\/p>\n Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web:\u00a0CyberGuy.com<\/p>\n 3) Check permissions<\/p>\n Open your settings and review which apps have access to your location, contacts or camera. Revoke any unnecessary permissions immediately.<\/p>\n TEA APP HACKED AS WOMEN’S PHOTOS, IDS & EVEN DMS LEAKED ONLINE<\/a><\/p>\n 4) Avoid “foreign-owned” apps that request extensive access without a clear reason.<\/p>\n Always read the privacy policy (yes, it’s tedious but eye-opening). If an app asks for permissions that do not match its purpose, like a calculator wanting your location or a flashlight needing camera access, that is a major red flag. Many foreign-owned apps hide behind vague privacy terms that allow data to be transferred to overseas servers where U.S. privacy laws do not apply.<\/p>\n 5) Use official stores only<\/p>\n Stick to the Apple App Store<\/a> or Google Play Store for downloads. Avoid third-party sites that host cloned or tampered versions of popular apps. Look for verified developers and check privacy ratings in reviews before installing anything new.<\/p>\n 6) Keep your device and apps updated<\/p>\n Updates close security holes that hackers exploit through malicious apps. Turn on automatic updates\u00a0so your phone and apps stay protected without you having to remember.<\/p>\n 7) Turn off ad tracking<\/p>\n Limit how much of your activity is shared with advertisers.\u00a0<\/p>\n On iPhone:<\/p>\n Go to\u00a0Settings \u2192 Privacy\u00a0& Security\u2192 Tracking and toggle off “Allow Apps to Request to Track.”\u00a0<\/p>\n On Android:\u00a0<\/p>\n (Settings may vary depending on your Android phone\u2019s manufacturer)\u00a0<\/p>\n Go to\u00a0Settings \u2192 Google \u2192 Ads (or\u00a0Settings \u2192 Privacy \u2192 Ads)\u00a0and choose “Delete advertising ID” or “Reset advertising ID.”\u00a0This action removes or replaces your unique ID so apps and advertisers can no longer use it for personalized ad tracking.<\/p>\n This step stops apps from following you across other platforms and building data profiles about your habits.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n Kurt’s key takeaway<\/p>\n Foreign-owned apps are the new front line in data harvesting, and retirees are the easiest targets. But you don’t have to accept that your private life is public property. It’s time to take back control. Delete the apps you don’t need. Lock down your permissions. And let a data removal service erase your data trail before scammers can use it against you.<\/p>\n Have you checked which of your apps might be secretly sending your personal data overseas? Let us know by writing to us at\u00a0CyberGuy.com.<\/p>\n Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.\u00a0All rights reserved.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt\u2019s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! 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Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you\u2019ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide \u2014 free when you join my\u00a0CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.<\/p>\n