Pokémon Go, Snapchat, Flappy Bird, Bitmoji… These are all apps that you probably first heard about because people were talking about them. Everywhere.
Installing an app sometimes comes with questions. Can Snapchat have access to your microphone?
That can lead to more questions. Why does it want access to my microphone? Should it have access to my camera?
These are questions you absolutely should be looking at critically, while keeping in mind that most apps have completely benevolent intentions. Snapchat can create videos along with photos. If you want audio recorded for your video, it needs your microphone. It’s a great thing that it asks first.
Sometimes people talk about an app so much that I have to download it and try it for myself to see what the buzz is about. But usually before I downloand an app I…
- Do quick Google search to make sure it’s legit.
- Read the reviews in the app store.
- Figure out why it needs access to each phone feature.
If you aren’t sure whether you want to enable a feature in the app or not, you can always say “no” and then enable it when you need that feature.
For example, in Settings on the iPhone, you can scroll all the way to the bottom and there will be a list of every app you have installed on the phone. Tapping on each app will show you a list of each permission you have granted each app. You can toggle those permissions on and off.
Bottom line, most apps aren't out there to steal your data. But it is your data, and you should be in control of who you're sharing it with.
Want to learn more? Watch my course, Tech Simplified: Everyday Tech Questions.
Videos in the course cover:
- Is there anything I can do about a super-slow computer?
- Should I enable location services on my phone?
- Can I trust the Wi-Fi in my coffee shop?
- Why do sites keep bugging me about cookies?
- How do I know if an email offer is legitimate?
Topics: Productivity tips
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