The Stockapps firm has just published an infographic that shows the wide gap in privacy protection practices within GAFAM. Unsurprisingly, Apple, which has positioned itself on the subject for several years, is the best student in this area. Apple only collects 12 types of data about its users and customers.
Data that is otherwise only used to deliver the basic functionalities attached to Apple ID / iCloud accounts. The Cupertino company offers the most protective policy of GAFAM in terms of privacy. The firm has long relied on an economic model far removed from advertising, which perpetuates and strengthens over time this posture that is more respectful of users’ personal data.
Apple is “first in class” when it comes to protecting your personal data
Conversely, Google is the company that collects the most personal data – which, as Stockapps points out “should not surprise anyone since their business model is entirely based on data collection”. Significantly behind, in a pocket handkerchief, Twitter and Facebook also collect more data than necessary.
With however, it should be emphasized, a specificity of Facebook: most of the data collected is information entered directly by users. Stockapps adds that each firm focuses on certain types of data – with the exception of Google, which is the company that collects the most different data on Internet users.
This data is vital for Google, which uses it to sell targeted advertising. However, beyond user data, Google does not hesitate to collect a lot of data from third-party domain names – sites on which, for example, the webmaster has installed a tracker or script allowing Google to access this data. .
In detail, explains Stockapps, Google can collect data such as location, browsing history, but also any activity on sites, third-party applications, and activity on Gmail. Stockapps explains “most people don’t have the time or the patience to read the privacy terms that can go on for several pages on each site they visit”.
The firm continues: “To make matters worse, it is unlikely that the Internet user will always have the legal notions necessary to understand the implications of these policies in terms of privacy. Also, users lack the time, patience, or energy to try to understand what data sites store and how those sites use it to their advantage. Result: users tend to authorize Google to collect all the data that the firm requires by accepting its privacy policy”.
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To limit this collection, it is recommended to use alternatives to Google, such as DuckDuckGo for your internet searches. It may also be advisable to use browsers other than Google Chrome, such as Chromium, Firefox or Safari. In addition, systematically refuse the collection of location, except when absolutely necessary (mapping for example). According to Stockapps location collection as operated by Google is “a great cause for concern”.
© Stockapp
