IFT warns that Temu is the app that collects the most data from users

Mexico City (apro) – The Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) has published its fifth report on the privacy of information used by users of digital services, analyzing the privacy policies of 46 digital devices, mobile devices and operating systems.

The report highlighted that Temu is the platform that collects the most user information, such as images, videos, recordings, comments, messages and more.

Temu is an e-commerce company operated by US-based Chinese company Pinduoduo Holdings and is known for offering products at deep discounts.

“Of all the platforms analyzed in this report, TEMU is the one that collects the most information on user-generated content, such as images, videos, recordings, comments, messages, etc.”, points out that report.

In addition to obtaining basic information such as username, mobile phone number, profile picture, etc., the application can also access user-generated content such as photos, images, videos, recordings, comments, questions, messages, and other content or information generated or transmitted by the user.

“We may obtain your information from other third-party services (data providers, our affiliate partners, public sources and third-party linked services)” as part of the information Temu collects, the report states.

“User-generated content (profile images, photos, images, videos, recordings, comments, questions, messages, and other content or information you generate, transmit),” it added.

Information Collected

The information that all digital applications and services can access and process is:

Contacts, SMS, call logs, browsing history, bank details (payment methods), photos and videos, identifiers (IMEI and phone number), geolocation and email.

#Institute for Tourism Announcement We present our fifth report #privacy User usage information #Digital Serviceswhere you can learn about the terms, conditions and privacy policy, as well as the information collected and how it is processed, where… pic.twitter.com/R1KK4WTTgh
— IFT (@IFT_MX) July 31, 2024

The report details two ways apps can collect information. The first is voluntary, where users provide information or grant permissions on their devices. This is observed through name, email, and GPS location.

Another way is conditional, where users must grant permissions and access to information to get the service. Commonly found in contacts, photos, videos, call logs, and operating systems.

suggestion

IFT has several recommendations for users of these apps, including:

• Create strong passwords, two-factor authentication, update software and applications, do not open suspicious emails or download attachments from unsolicited emails or Internet pages.
• It also recommends installing anti-malware software designed to detect, prevent and eliminate malware, and urges people not to share content or information they don’t want to be made public, such as photos, videos and audio.
• He stressed the importance of backup copies to recover data that might be lost in a cyberattack, in addition to always browsing secure and trusted websites whose URLs begin with https:// and have a lock icon in the device’s browser address bar.

In this study, social networks were analyzed

• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok and YouTube

Entertainment Applications

• Claro Video, Disney+, Prime Video, Deezer, Netflix, Spotify

Traffic Applications

• Cabify, Didi, InDriver, Uber, Waze

operating system

• Apple, Motorola, Oppo, Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei

E-commerce services

• Amazon, Mercado Libre, Shein, Temu

Providing remote office services

• Google Meet, Webex, Zoom, Microsoft Teams

Dating Apps

• Badoo, Grindr, Tinder, Bumble

Food transportation services

• Rappi, Uber Eats, Didi Waimai

Mobile Video Games

• Call of Duty Mobile, Minecraft, Pokémon Go, Free Fire, PUBG Mobile

To read the full report, please visit the link https://www.ift.org.mx/sites/default/files/5to_informe_priv.pdf