Mobile App Privacy Statistics and Risks
As more and more people, including children, gain access to mobile devices and applications, privacy concerns for consumers have become a major issue. Large-scale data breaches, identity theft, and class action privacy lawsuits have heightened these concerns.
Mobile App Privacy Statistics at a Glance
Recent studies have identified several common issues across many mobile apps, including difficult or inadequate account deletion processes, unlawful data collection and sharing practices, and more. Many apps have been found to share user data with third-party advertisers without permission, including precise location data, biometric information, and sensitive health information.
Google Stopped 255,000 Apps from Excessive Data Access
In 2025, Google reported that it prevented more than 1.75 million policy-violating apps from being published on Google Play. Google also reported preventing more than 255,000 apps from obtaining excessive access to sensitive user information and banning over 80,000 bad developer accounts that tried to publish harmful apps. Google Play Protect scans over 350 billion Android apps daily to keep users safe from scams, fraud, and other threats.
USENIX Found Disclosure Problems in 81% of Tested Android Apps
A 2024 USENIX Security study dynamically evaluated almost 5,000 Android applications and reported that 81% misrepresented their data collection or sharing practices in Google Play’s Data Safety section. Researchers also reported that 79.4% of applications with incomplete disclosures did not seek consent for the relevant collection or sharing. Among apps that requested consent, the researchers found that 78.6% disregarded the user’s choice.
Only 8.5% of Sampled Apps Offered Multiple Account Deletion Methods
A 2025 USENIX study examined account-deletion information for 863 Google Play apps. Among 494 apps with accessible deletion links:
- 5% offered both an in-app deletion path and a web-based deletion method.
- 6% offered only one of those methods.
- 12 tested apps failed to delete user accounts upon request.
International Children’s Privacy Sweep Found Weak Age and Deletion Controls
A 2025 international privacy sweep examined almost 900 websites and applications used by children. Participating authorities found that:
- Age verification could be bypassed in 72% of the reviewed services that use it.
- 46% required geolocation data to access full functionality.
- 71% lacked privacy or protective-control information tailored to children.
- 36% did not provide an accessible account-deletion method.
What Are the Biggest Mobile App Privacy Risks?
When you download an app, it may ask for permission to access your personal information, such as contacts, calendar data, and location data. Many app developers share this data with third parties, such as companies that serve targeted ads based on your location and interests. Data collection, sharing, retention, and security are the most significant risks associated with mobile app use.
Excessive Permission Requests
Some apps may seek access to data that appears unrelated to their main function, such as a calculator requesting continuous location data or a simple utility requesting access to contacts.
Background Collection
Certain permissions may allow information to be collected when the consumer is not actively using the application.
Undisclosed or Incomplete Sharing
There may be differences between an app’s disclosed privacy policies and the information they actually collect. The in-app explanation of the program’s data collection practices is often simplified and does not contain all the details of what information will be collected and how it will be used.
Precise Location Tracking
Precise location information becomes especially sensitive when it is collected repeatedly, retained for long periods, linked to an identifier, or used to infer visits to healthcare facilities, shelters, religious institutions, schools, military sites, or private homes.
Weak Retention and Deletion Practices
After a consumer stops using an app, some information and account data may remain, even if the user requests account deletion or removes the app from their device.
Data Breaches and Insecure Storage
Exposed credentials, health information, financial data, messages, photographs, location records, or identity documents may contribute to fraud, account takeover, identity theft, harassment, or embarrassment. Data breaches involving AI are also a significant risk, as privacy protections may not be strictly followed.
Dark Patterns and Manipulative Consent
Interface design may make acceptance of privacy terms prominent, obscure rejection options, falsely imply that optional collection is mandatory, or create unnecessary barriers to opting out or deleting an account.
Which Types of Apps May Present Heightened Privacy Risks?
Health, Fitness, and Reproductive Health Apps
Health and fitness apps collect information on users’ symptoms, diagnoses, medication use, menstrual cycle data, fertility information, exercise, sleep, heart rate, nutrition, and more sensitive data.
Financial, Lending, and Payment Apps
Financial, lending, and payment apps may collect bank credentials, transaction histories, credit information, employment details, identity documents, contacts, and authentication data. This type of sensitive information is extremely dangerous in the event of a data breach; if unauthorized users gain access to it, they may commit identity theft.
Dating and Social Apps
Dating apps and social media platforms may collect photographs, location information, private communications, sexual orientation information, relationship activity, and more sensitive personal data, creating a risk of impersonation or harassment.
Children’s Games and Educational Apps
Children’s games and apps pose risks to minors. Data such as address identifiers, ages, locations, photographs, voice recordings, and more may be collected, stored, or sold.
AI and Photo-Editing Apps
Uploaded photos and videos containing faces, voices, homes, identity documents, children, and other people who may not have directly consented to their processing can pose a privacy risk if the app shares data with third parties or experiences a data breach.
New cases and investigations, settlement deadlines, and news straight to your inbox.
How Consumers Can Protect Their Privacy When Using Mobile Apps
There are several steps consumers can take to reduce privacy risks when downloading and using mobile apps. You can avoid potentially harmful apps by only downloading from official app stores, not from unknown sources. Additionally, read the reviews and research the app developer before installing an app. Regularly review the permissions you have granted to apps and remove those that are no longer necessary, and avoid connecting your social media accounts to other apps unless necessary for use.
Review App Permissions Before Downloading
Consumers should evaluate whether an app’s requested permissions are necessary before granting them. Make sure your apps only have access to the information they need. Some apps will default to accessing your contacts, camera, storage, location, and microphone without a real need for those tools.
Limit Data Sharing Settings
Adjust the privacy controls on your phone and in apps to ensure you’re only sharing necessary data. Consider limiting your location permissions to access only when apps are in use.
Use Strong Security Practices
Always use strong, unique passwords, multi-factor authentication, and secure account habits. Additionally, keep your apps and software updated.
Remove Apps You No Longer Use
Deleting unused applications can reduce unnecessary data exposure.