The security and privacy of apps compatible with Android devices are more at risk than expected. Despite the many standards required for data and information policies, Software displayed on the Play Store has flaws and irregularities that can affect the usability of different apps with a high percentage of downloads.
According to a survey carried out by Mozilla, 80% of the most popular apps on the sales store do not follow any type of privacy rule. The analysis included 40 apps ranked among the most used, confirming that many do not buy if they want their own pre-established privacy rules.
This practice is not only seen as an irregularity for developers but also ends up making life and usability difficult for users themselves.. Among the applications evaluated in the research are famous social networks such as Twitter and Facebook and, also, games como GTA (Grand Theft Auto) e Candy Crush.
The main problems encountered
The research shows that security problems vary among dozens of applications. Nonetheless, improper data collection, as well as information shared beyond what is reported to users and Google itself, is among the main points.
Mozilla also found that the privacy policy displayed different information on the Google page and the Play Store display. Like this, the “data security form”, which must be completed by servers, relied on misleading information and omitted data. The research diagnosed, inclusive, forms without filling in any data.
Furthermore, many application reports were generated inaccurately and incompletely. In the same way, These same application policies are responsible for offering flaws that allow loopholes for the improper collection of various information.
Application evaluation
Beyond privacy and security research, Mozilla also provided an assessment of the acceptance of applications available on the Play Store. Of the 40 analyzed applications, 40% of them were considered bad. Among them are very popular names like Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat e Messenger Meta, besides games like GTA (Grand Theft Auto) e Mine Craft.
Youtube and Google Maps applications are classified among the 25% of technologies considered average that, therefore, need improvements regarding privacy and security policies. Finally, 15% were marked as “Ok” by the survey.
Like this, Google Play Games and the games Subway Surfers and Candy Crush Saga would be among the few popular apps that correctly disclosed their information. Yet, 7,5% of the software collected by the survey did not fill in the information requested by the marketplace.
