🛡️ The App Trap

You just wanted the app. Not to give away your entire digital life.

But that’s what’s happening every time you tap "Allow" without thinking. Most apps ask for far more access than they need—your location, your contacts, your microphone, your photos, your motion sensors, even your clipboard.

These permissions can quietly power everything from ad profiling to corporate surveillance and even fraud. The App Store and Google Play don’t always catch bad behavior, either. And even “good” apps overreach—because the business model is often data, not features.

Here are 5 ways to stay in control of your privacy and data when installing (or auditing) apps:

✅ 1. Audit App Permissions Now

Go into your phone’s settings and look at what apps have access to things like:

• 📍Location

• 📸 Camera

• 🎙️ Microphone

• 👥 Contacts

• 🧭 Motion & Fitness
  Revoke access for any app that doesn’t clearly need it to function.

✅ 2. Say No to “Always Allow”

When prompted, choose “Ask Every Time” or “Only While Using” instead of “Always.”
This stops apps from gathering background data when you're not even using them.

✅ 3. Avoid “Free” Apps That Aren’t Really Free

If a free app has ads or in-app purchases and asks for a ton of permissions, it’s probably mining your data. You can also check the developer’s privacy policy (usually linked in the app store) or Google the app’s name + “privacy” to see red flags.

✅ 4. Watch for Creepy App Behavior

🚩 Sudden battery drain
🚩 Overheating when idle
🚩 Seeing ads outside of the app

These are signs that an app may be doing something it shouldn’t in the background.

✅ 5. Delete What You Don’t Use

Unused apps don’t just sit there—they often continue collecting data or running processes in the background. Do a spring cleaning and delete anything you don’t use regularly.

Bottom line: Apps are convenient—but many treat your phone like an all-you-can-eat buffet. The good news? You can take back control. It only takes 10 minutes to review your settings and strip out unnecessary permissions.

🔐 Security isn’t about paranoia. It’s about control.

Be deliberate with what you install, what you allow, and what you leave behind.

Want to learn more tips for personal cyber safety? Subscribe or read past issues at:
👉 https://newsletter.thecybersafety.company

Have a topic you'd like us to cover?
📬 Email me directly at [email protected]

Until next time — stay private, stay safe.

— Peter Oram
Chief Cyber Safety Officer