What Data Threads App Collects About You?

August 01, 2023 By Prelo Con

(Image Credit Google)

image credit - indianexpress.com When Threads, Meta's new social media app, came out on July 6, 2023, it quickly became a major rival to Twitter. You can post text, pictures, and videos with this app. You can also like, share, and comment on other people's posts. You can also follow other people and talk to them directly on Threads. For Threads to work, you need to link your Instagram account. People say that the social media app Threads is a rival to Twitter, but is it safe to use? Let's look into Threads' privacy policy. [caption id="attachment_189164" align="aligncenter" width="710"] threads privacy policy

image credit - forbes.com[/caption]

What Is Included In Threads' Privacy Policy

Since Threads first came out, its privacy policy has been a point of interest. Many people want to know if it's really safe to use. The Instagram Help Center has Threads' privacy policy, which says what kind of information the app gathers. On the list of information received are:

User Activity
Information about profile
Information collected from third-party services
Information about the app, browser, and device

As shown in the Tweet, the Threads app provides users with a list of collected data. In fact, many people have already said that the way Threads collects data is risky. But let's look at how the app collects information to see if this is true.

User Activity

First, Threads keeps track of what you do inside the app, such as what you post, watch, and interact with. Metadata about your material and how you interact with it are also taken into account. Meta's own data policy goes into more depth about this. Meta says that it also keeps track of which ads you click on, which features you use, and what you record with your camera roll. Meta also says that it collects the texts you send and receive on its apps, such as Threads. Meta also keeps track of how much time you spend on its apps and any information you give it through its voice-enabled features.

Information About Profile

Threads collect your name, email address, and settings choices as part of your profile. Also, Threads says: “As your Threads profile is part of your Instagram account, some of your Threads profile information is provided from or managed by your Instagram account, such as your name and username.” There is a link between Threads and Instagram that you should know about. If you have both, neither account is separate from the other.

Information collected from third-party services

Threads write this before this part of the privacy policy: “Because Threads is part of Instagram, we also use information about your profile, activity and followers and connections on Instagram.” And if you use the app through a third-party service, like following Threads users or interacting with Threads material, information about your third-party account and profile will be collected. This information includes your username, picture, and IP location. For example, if you have a Threads account and log into it through another app, like your computer, data will still be collected about you. Also Read - Twitter Vs Threads: What made Threads trend quickly among users?

Information about the app, browser, and device

Here, Threads says that it will "collect and receive information from and about the different devices you use and how you use them." This line, which is a little hard to understand, is explained in more detail in the Meta Privacy Policy. According to Meta, the data gathered by the devices includes:

The software and application being used.
What you're doing on the device, such as whether threads is active or the user's mouse is moving (this is apparently useful for distinguishing between humans and bots).
Identifiers for devices (like family ids).
Bluetooth, GPS, and local Wi-Fi access point signals from your device.
Information is made available through a device's settings (such as camera access and GPS location).
Information about the network, including IP addresses.
Location-specific data, even if location sharing is off.
Data on your device's app performance.

Meta collects a lot of things here. Some of the above tips are especially worrying, like the fact that your location can be tracked even when location sharing is turned off on your device. This information about your location includes your IP address and the place where you live, which you give when you sign up. Meta also keeps track of where you are right now. It says this is done to improve and personalize its goods, including the ads you see. It is also used to spot suspicious behavior and keep your account safe. If you already have Threads installed, you can't delete your account without also removing Instagram. You can delete just the app, but your account will still be there. But you can temporarily deactivate your Threads account.

By Prelo Con

Following my passion by reviewing latest tech. Just love it.

What Data Threads App Collects About You?

What Is Included In Threads' Privacy Policy

User Activity

Information About Profile

Information collected from third-party services

Information about the app, browser, and device

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