You probably already know your phone is tracking your location—but what if that’s just the tip of the iceberg? In the era of “free” apps, your personal data is the real product. Every time you grant an app access to your microphone, camera, or contact list, you’re opening the door to a hidden economy built on your private information.
Sure, location data helps with maps and delivery services, but plenty of apps collect far more than they ever need—and most users never realize it. Here are ten everyday apps that are quietly gathering data far beyond your GPS coordinates, and why you might want to rethink just how much you’re sharing.
