Full list of info Threads asks to harvest as cyber-experts warn over eerie requests – check what you’ve agreed to now
SOME people rush to download the new social media app threads without considering privacy settings.
If you choose to use threads, it’s important to know what you’re signing up for for privacy reasons.
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Threads, owned by Meta, is extremely new and has been available since July 5th.
When it comes to privacy concerns, Facebook, also owned by Meta, has a rather unfavorable reputation.
It is advertised that Threads is primarily associated with Instagram.
According to Intego, it has been suggested that Meta, associating the thread’s name and reputation with Instagram rather than Facebook, may be an attempt to address privacy concerns.
However, the App Privacy section for Threads in Apple’s App Store shows that it may collect a variety of information about you.
By subscribing to Threads, you consent to the sharing of this information.
Threads have access to your health and fitness, financial information, contact information, user content, browsing history, usage data, diagnostics, purchases, locations, contacts, search history, identifiers, sensitive information, and other data.
Other data allows the app to collect various data.
Chris Hauk, consumer protection officer at Pixel Privacy, advises users not to download threads if they want to protect the information they have access to, according to Beta News.
“When an app is from Meta, it collects your personal information. It even digs into your search history,” Hauk said.
“The list also includes ‘Other Data’, meaning other miscellaneous information is also collected.
“Meta’s business goal is to collect your information and sell it to anyone willing to pay for it.”
Hauk also emphasized that there is no way to delete your Threads account without deleting your Instagram account.
“I strongly advise Instagram users not to install the app, even though they would really care about privacy if they didn’t use Instagram, Facebook or this app,” Hauk said.
“Also, there is no way out of this app without deleting your Instagram account. And if you do that, how are you going to post all your cat photos?”
People should be reminded “of the depth of data Meta collects about its users and that when you use any of their services, you are the product,” said Aaron Mendes, CEO and co-founder of PrivacyHawk, according to Beta news.
Mendes recommends selecting elevated privacy settings for Meta’s apps if you intend to use them.
“If you use them and care about your privacy, take the time to go into their privacy settings and choose more private settings than the default,” he added.
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