Mobile app privacy: legal considerations & settings you should know
Mobile app privacy has become a critical concern in today’s interconnected world. This article explores essential legal considerations and settings that every smartphone user should be aware of to protect their personal information. Drawing on insights from industry experts, it offers practical advice on managing app permissions, data storage, and sharing practices to safeguard your digital privacy.
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- Verify Consent and Limit App Permissions
- Check Data Storage Location and Sharing
- Read Privacy Policies and Control Location
- Opt Out of Data Sales and Sharing
- Minimize Data Collection and Review Permissions
- Examine Third-Party Sharing and Cross-App Tracking
- Ensure Informed Consent and Review Permissions
- Scrutinize App Permissions for Privacy Protection
- Examine App Permissions and Data Minimization
- Manage Location Access for Digital Self-Defense
- Understand Data Ownership and App Permissions
- Check Cross-Border Transfers and Third-Party Sharing
- Beware of Data Brokers and Reset Ad IDs
- Limit Location Access and App Permissions
Verify Consent and Limit App Permissions
Modern privacy rules stipulate that an app can’t collect or use personal information solely because the developer desires it. There must be a lawful basis, and the easiest way to verify this is to read how the app requests consent. A proper consent request is specific and easy to understand. It explains, in everyday language, what data will be gathered, why it is needed, and how long it will be stored. If that explanation feels vague or buried behind jargon, consider it a red flag. You wouldn’t sign a custody agreement that only says, “We’ll handle the kids responsibly”; don’t accept a privacy statement that says, “We may share your data for various purposes.” The law protects you only if you know what you’re agreeing to, so take the extra minute to confirm that the app spells out its intentions in clear terms.
The flip side of legal compliance is practical self-defense. Every new app will ask for permissions — access to your camera, microphone, contacts, or exact location. Permissions are like spare keys. Hand out too many and you may discover someone rummaging through information you never meant to share. Before granting access, ask yourself whether the request is essential to the feature you actually plan to use. A photo-editing app requires a camera; a simple flashlight app does not need access to your contacts. On my own phone, I make it a habit to open the permissions panel immediately after installing the app. Anything that feels unrelated to the app’s core purpose gets turned off. This small step limits accidental data leaks and reduces the chance that a future software update will quietly expand the app’s visibility.
Why does this matter so much? Because personal data can carry the same weight as the family matters I handle in court. Location logs reveal daily routines; contact lists map your social network; voice recordings can capture private conversations. Once that information is stored on someone else’s server, reclaiming it is much more complicated than preventing the overshare in the first place. Think of app permissions as a prenup for your data: a simple agreement that keeps surprises to a minimum if things go south later.
So before tapping “Install,” look for two safeguards. First, confirm that the app asks for informed, specific consent to collect any personal data — and offers real choices if you prefer to decline. Second, review and limit permissions to only what the app truly needs.
Stephen Bardol, Attorney and Founder, Bardol Law Firm, LLC
Check Data Storage Location and Sharing
The most often overlooked legal factor I see as a lawyer is the location of a service’s data storage. Often, these services are quietly transferring your data to servers in other countries. The reason why you should care is simple: your legal rights and protections depend on the jurisdiction where your data resides. For example, if your health or financial data is stored in a country with very poor privacy laws, you will have almost no recourse if the data is leaked and sold. Always check to see where the app is storing your data and processing their data, and this should be clarified in the privacy policy.
The first privacy setting I always check on a new app is the toggling of the data sharing with third parties item. Most apps actually have the setting on for “yes,” meaning that the app can use this to sell or share your usage data for marketing purposes. This means the app is allowed to share your activities, location data, and possibly other personally identifiable information with advertisers you’ve never heard of. The setting will usually be labeled something like “permissions” or “ad personalization,” but either way, it’s often difficult to find. Disabling this sharing setting won’t hurt the core functionality of the app, but it will significantly decrease the amount of your privacy that they monetize without your consent.
Little things like this can be the difference between using technology responsibly and giving your rights away for nothing in return.
Christopher Migliaccio, Founder & Attorney, Warren & Migliaccio
Read Privacy Policies and Control Location
When you install a new app, you scroll past the mountain of text in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service and just click “Agree.” We all do it.
But here’s the trap: that policy is a binding contract. By clicking “Agree,” you are giving that company legal permission to do everything they buried in that fine print. That could mean selling your contact list, sharing your browsing habits with faceless “third-party partners,” or using your personal data in ways you’d never be okay with if they just asked you plainly. It’s the biggest yet most ignored legal agreement we make in our digital lives.
Think about how you set up a new app. It bombards you with pop-ups: “Allow access to contacts?” “Allow access to photos?” The knee-jerk reaction is to just say yes to everything to make them go away.
Stop doing that. If there’s one setting you must always check, it’s location services.
Before you grant access, ask yourself a blunt question: “Does this silly game really need to know where I am at all times?” A weather app might need your location while you’re using it, but it definitely doesn’t need to track you 24/7. Always go into your phone’s settings and pick the most restrictive option that still lets the app function, usually “While Using the App” or, even better, “Never.” It’s the single most effective way to shut down a massive source of data collection.
Aishit Jain, Data Governance Lead
Opt Out of Data Sales and Sharing
One of the legal issues is whether the app’s data practices amount to a “sale” or “sharing” of your data for advertising purposes. Under California law, specifically the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), consumers have the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of their data. Businesses are required to honor user-enabled Global Privacy Control signals. These practices have been targeted by regulators, as evidenced by one enforcement action that highlighted a failure to respect opt-out signals, and subsequent sweeps of popular streaming apps to check for compliance.
To protect your privacy, attempt to locate a “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link in the app or on the developer’s website and launch it in a browser that can send a global opt-out signal. Cross-app tracking is one privacy setting to check on day one of using a new app.
On iPhone, check if the app is requesting permission to track your activity on other apps and websites of other businesses. Deny this request unless you have a compelling reason to allow it. On Android, review the app’s Google Play “Data safety” page before installation to see whether the developer states that it shares data for ads or with third parties. In addition to these platform-specific controls, look for in-app privacy controls that include the ability to turn off personalized advertising and sharing of your data.
These quick checks can significantly reduce the amount of information that can be linked to you for profiling and advertising purposes.
William Holland, Lawyer and Managing Partner, Holland Injury Law, LLC
Minimize Data Collection and Review Permissions
One of the most important legal considerations when sharing personal data with mobile apps is data minimization. This simply means that apps should only collect the information they truly need to provide the service, nothing extra. Too often, apps ask for access to your contacts, photos, or location when it’s not necessary, and that creates both privacy and compliance risks.
As a user, one privacy setting I always recommend checking is app permissions. Before you start using a new app, look at what it’s asking to access, such as camera, microphone, and location, and turn off anything that doesn’t make sense for the app’s purpose. This small step not only protects your privacy but also helps ensure that your data isn’t being misused behind the scenes.
Yurri K, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Loio
Examine Third-Party Sharing and Cross-App Tracking
One legal aspect to always consider before sharing data with apps is the potential sale of data to third parties or data brokers. Check if the privacy policy includes a clause stating that the app will be allowed to collect and share your information, including addresses, browsing habits, location, and device identifiers. These clauses determine who can access your data and have significant implications for your overall privacy.
Regarding privacy settings, you should always check “cross-app tracking.” This setting allows apps to track your activity across other websites and apps. You should turn this off to limit how much personal data is collected.
James Wilson, Personal Cybersecurity Expert, My Data Removal
Ensure Informed Consent and Review Permissions
When sharing personal data with mobile apps, a critical legal consideration is informed consent. Apps must obtain your explicit permission before collecting your data, particularly when it will be shared with third parties or used for advertising purposes. Companies must also ensure their apps comply with key regulations like GDPR in Europe or the CCPA in California.
For privacy protection, always review the permissions an app requests during installation or first use. Check whether it’s asking for access to your location, contacts list, camera, or microphone. I recommend disabling any permissions that aren’t essential for the app’s core functionality — this simple step significantly enhances your privacy while using the application.
Sandra Krikstaponyte, Product Director, Honeygain
Scrutinize App Permissions for Privacy Protection
One legal consideration when sharing personal data with mobile apps is that you’re often agreeing (sometimes unknowingly) to let them collect and possibly resell your information, which could later come back as spam, targeted ads, or even identity misuse.
A smart privacy check you should always do is reviewing what permissions the app is asking for, especially things like microphone, camera, or location. If it doesn’t make sense for the app’s purpose, switch it off. It’s a small tweak that can save you from oversharing.
Mohit Ramani, CEO & CTO, Empyreal Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
Examine App Permissions and Data Minimization
Mobile applications secretly gather user information through data collection processes which users often fail to detect. Users need to examine app permission requests during download to protect their personal data. A flashlight application should not require access to your contact list or microphone, as such requests indicate potential security risks. Reviewing app permissions before installation enables you to protect your personal data while maintaining full access to app features.
Users need to follow data protection regulations such as GDPR and CCPA, while app developers must also adhere to these laws to maintain user safety. Users should enable location tracking only when an application requires it for navigation purposes. Users should only provide necessary information to apps because this practice of data minimization helps protect their privacy. The first step to protect your privacy should be to examine app permissions instead of reading privacy policies, as this simple method gives you control over your data. Your digital fingerprint exists in your data, so you must protect it to maintain your privacy.
Rafay Baloch, CEO and Founder, REDSECLABS
Manage Location Access for Digital Self-Defense
One important legal implication to consider when sharing personal data with mobile apps is compliance with data protection laws, like the GDPR in Europe, or CCPA in California. Most users don’t recognize that almost all data, even data that may seem insignificant like a user’s location, contacts, or device identifiers, could be characterized as personal and, therefore, protected as such depending on the statutory data protection and privacy regime.
When an app collects, processes, stores, or shares that data inappropriately, the users can be at risk, and the organizations who own the app can be at risk too. If, for example, an app ran in the background and automatically uploaded a user’s contact list to its own production servers, and the app was subsequently hacked, the organization could face regulatory repercussions while the user could be at risk of identity theft or petty crime. Legally, look for apps that provide specific consent and always read their privacy statements so that you understand how your data is being used, shared, and/or sold.
In terms of practicality, a privacy setting you should check all the time is an app’s access to your location. Most apps by default will request location data when it’s not needed for the app’s primary function. Turning off location access to the app when it is not actively being utilized, or disabling background location tracking can significantly narrow your exposure and avoid being tracked continuously. When you compare location access to the permissions for contacts, microphone, and camera, location access is just another platform to manage, similar to a personal privacy firewall where you decide how much or how little information you want to be collected and shared. In this age of ubiquitous surveillance, merely being proactive on these types of app settings isn’t just about your privacy; it is a form of digital self-defense.
Sergio Oliveira, Director of Development, DesignRush
Understand Data Ownership and App Permissions
I’d say it’s the fine print around data ownership and third-party sharing. Most people breeze through terms and conditions without realizing they’re signing up to let the app share or even sell their data to unknown partners. Legally, this means you might be handing over more than just your email or location; you could be effectively licensing your personal information for marketing, profiling, or worse, with minimal control once it’s out there.
From my experience, this is where the legal boundaries get blurry. The app might comply with regulations like GDPR or CCPA, but enforcement is patchy, and the sheer volume of data transactions makes transparency rare. So, always double-check who exactly gets access and what they’re allowed to do with your data.
Now, the privacy setting everyone should always check? The dreaded “App Permissions.” I mean, do you really want your photo gallery, microphone, or location data accessible just because the app “might” need it? Spoiler: most apps ask for way more permissions than necessary.
When you install a new app, head straight to your device’s settings and check the permissions. Disable anything that feels invasive or unrelated to the app’s core function. For example, a weather app requesting access to your contacts? Red flag. Also, check if the app offers granular controls. Can you share location only while using the app, or can it track you all the time? The thing is, be the gatekeeper of your own data. The legalese is complicated, but staying savvy on permissions is the simplest way to keep your digital life private and your peace of mind intact.
Nik Aggar, Business Development Manager, Outstaff Your Team
Check Cross-Border Transfers and Third-Party Sharing
Most of the time, when you provide an app with your personal information, the company may be sending it to servers located abroad. This will subject your data to international laws in addition to your local ones. You essentially have no recourse if things go wrong if the servers are located in a nation with lax or nonexistent privacy laws. I always suggest that users check the app’s privacy policy for any references to “cross-border data transfers.” This single line indicates whether your personal data might be handled in entirely different legal contexts.
Check to see if the app allows you to prevent sharing of your data with third parties. Numerous apps attempt to hide this under “partners” or “advertising preferences.” When it is turned on by default, your location, contacts, and personal habits are silently combined into enormous ad networks. Disabling that toggle will not interfere with your ability to use the app, but it eliminates one of the main ways that personal information can be compromised.
Beware of Data Brokers and Reset Ad IDs
One thing most people overlook is that many apps don’t just collect your data for their own use; they contract with data brokers. These brokers legally bundle and resell your information, and the permission to do so is usually tucked into long Terms of Service under “partners” or “service providers.” As a lawyer, I tell people: if you see vague language like “we may share with trusted partners,” that’s a red flag. It’s essentially a legal pass for your data to leave the app ecosystem entirely.
While location settings are important, the one privacy feature I always check is whether the app uses your advertising ID. Every smartphone has one, and apps often default to tracking it across platforms. If you don’t turn off ad personalization or regularly reset that ID, companies can stitch together your browsing, shopping, and even fitness habits. It’s a lesser-known privacy step, but it’s one of the most practical defenses against long-term profiling.
Adam Cohen, Managing Partner, Ticket Crushers Law
Limit Location Access and App Permissions
The first privacy setting I check when I download a new app is location access. Many apps ask for location by default, even when it’s not necessary for their core function or doesn’t really provide a significantly better experience. Turning this off or limiting it to “while using the app” is much safer because you aren’t constantly tracked. If a malicious actor were to gain access to the app data, they could profile or target you with that information. That’s why this one is non-negotiable for me.
Since you are in the app settings, I’d also check contacts, microphone, or camera access, as the same applies to them. Does the app really need 24/7 access to them? Limiting app permissions to what’s really needed is like putting a little fence around your personal information; the functionality is unaffected, but you are much safer.
Aimee Simpson, Director, Product Marketing, Huntress
