Creepy data collection and sharing remain common on popular apps

2021-09-22 10:09

In a recent Mozilla review of the privacy features of 21 popular video call apps, only two were singled out for outstanding features.

Says Jen Caltrider, research lead at Mozilla: "Video call apps are now a routine part of millions of people's lives. And even when the pandemic recedes, that won't change. In this new world, people deserve to know if the apps they're using everyday respect their privacy - or if they're snooping on them."

Caltrider continues: "While video call apps may feel more intimate than social media platforms, there's still a ton of data being collected, stored, and shared. For that reason, users should assume that anything they say on a video call app could be made public."

Three apps earned the "*Privacy Not Included" warning labels, including WeChat, Houseparty, and Facebook Messenger.

These apps use poor encryption, or else collect large amounts of personal data and then potentially share it with shady data brokers.

Several apps have added great new features, like more end-to-end encryption, strong password requirements, and more, as well as many new user experience features, like smart AI assistants and AI-driven noise reduction.

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