Many of us have made peace with the fact that a treasure trove of our personal information is circling the web. But a recent data leak from the language learning app Duolingo has raised concerns about how much data these apps collect and how they use it.
A Surfshark cybersecurity study found that Duolingo collects 19 data points, including names, email addresses, and phone numbers. Of these, 13 data points are used for tracking purposes, such as purchase history, coarse location, and phone number. This makes Duolingo the undisputed champion of tracking among the language learning apps analyzed by Surfshark.
The second most data-hungry app on the list is Busuu, which collects 17 data points. However, only 6 data points are used for tracking. On the other end of the spectrum, EWA, HelloTalk, and Mondly collect only 5, 7, and 8 data points, respectively.
While the amount of data collected by language learning apps varies, it is important to note that many of these apps use this data to track users. This is often done by sharing user data with third-party advertisers or data brokers.
In the case of Duolingo, the company says that it uses tracking data to improve the user experience and to provide personalized advertising. However, some privacy experts are concerned that this data could also be used to build detailed profiles of users, which could then be sold to third parties.
It is important to read the privacy policies of language learning apps carefully before using them. This will help you understand what data is being collected and how it is being used. You can also adjust your privacy settings to limit the amount of data that is collected about you.
Here are some tips for protecting your privacy when using language learning apps:
- Read the app’s privacy policy carefully.
- Adjust your privacy settings to limit the amount of data that is collected about you.
- Be careful about what information you share in the app.
- Avoid using the app on public Wi-Fi networks.
- Use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication for your account.
By following these tips, you can help to protect your privacy when using language learning apps.
