IT Asset Management Group (ITAMG) analyzed the privacy policies of over 5,000 apps from the Apple App Store to determine which apps are the most invasive.
The list created shows an index out of 100 based on the level of privacy intrusion measured by whether each data type is tracked and linked,
At the top of the list was Instagram and Facebook. Both came in first place with an index score of 61.47 out of 100. Both apps are among the most widely used worldwide. These apps also rank highly because of how invasive they are in collecting sensitive info like physical addresses, device IDs, and user IDs. This is in stark contrast with other popular entertainment apps such as YouTube and TikTok, which rank 27th and 76th.
Coming in third is Grab: Taxi Ride, Food Delivery, with a 55.57 out of 100 score. As a ride-hailing and food delivery app, it collects sensitive information such as payment information and other financial data, as well as precise location and purchase history.
In fourth place, a three-way tie sees Threads, Meta Business Suite, and Messenger, each scoring 54.53 out of 100.
Further down the list, Nordstrom Rack: Shop Deals ranks seventh with a score of 53.62.
In eighth place, Nordstrom follows closely with a score of 52.54.
Pinterest is in ninth place with an index score of 50.06.
Rounding out the top ten is AE + Aerie, short for American Eagle Outfitters, the apparel brand, scoring 50.01 out of 100.
ITAMG SAYS of all the apps and categories studied, Photo-Video Apps are the most invasive followed by Social Networking Apps and Food and Drink Apps.
