--- title: Keep Users Happy with Six Tips for Mobile App Privacy description: Data is often paramount to making apps work, but collecting too much can be invasive. Get 6 tips on balancing the need for data with demands for privacy. image: https://web3growthassociation.com/hubfs/regulation-3246979_1280.jpg --- [![MGA Logo_Horizontal-Color-434px](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MGA%20Logo_Horizontal-Color-434px.png?width=217&height=26&name=MGA%20Logo_Horizontal-Color-434px.png "MGA Logo_Horizontal-Color-434px")](https://web3growthassociation.com/) Open Search Events [MGS 22 Las Vegas](https://events.bizzabo.com/358800) [Executive Connect](https://events.bizzabo.com/executiveconnect) [Women Of The Year Awards 2022](https://widgets.mobilegrowthassociation.com/events/mgs-22/page/2031094/women-of-the-year-awards) [See All Events](https://web3growthassociation.com/events) [APPLY TO SPEAK](https://web3growthassociation.com/speaker-application) APPLY TO SPONSOR Webinars & Webcasts [MGA Webinars](https://web3growthassociation.com/webinars) [APPLY TO SPEAK](https://web3growthassociation.com/speaker-application) APPLY TO SPONSOR Podcasts [Fintech Growth Talk](https://web3growthassociation.com/fintech) Channels [User Acquistion](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media?ua) [Retention & Engagement](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media?re) [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media?ai) [Monetization](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media?monetization) [LTV](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media?ltv) [Mobile Gaming](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media?gaming) [See All Media](https://web3growthassociation.com/all-media) [SUBMIT ARTICLE IDEA](https://share.hsforms.com/1qyaCXBsCRHyus5ftkoqRXw34v9x?__hstc=17895014.67ed4e0440429f7fd858dbdaa6017f42.1596082292944.1610407079532.1610469949158.104&__hssc=17895014.1.1610469949158&__hsfp=555322576) [Industry Jobs](https://careers.mobilegrowthassociation.com) [Join Now](https://web3growthassociation.com/membership) Open Search Close Search [  Make the Most of Virtual Conferences with These Tips](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/make-the-most-of-virtual-conferences-with-these-tips) [Apple Search Ads: Best Practices and Latest Trends  ](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/apple-search-ads-best-practices-and-latest-trends) # Keep Users Happy with Six Tips for Mobile App Privacy ![](https://web3growthassociation.com/hubfs/regulation-3246979_1280.jpg) [Staff Writer](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/author/staff-writer) Posted Apr 27, 2020 [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20Keep%20Users%20Happy%20with%20Six%20Tips%20for%20Mobile%20App%20Privacy%20&body=Check%20out%20https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/keep-users-happy-with-six-tips-for-mobile-app-privacy&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20Keep%20Users%20Happy%20with%20Six%20Tips%20for%20Mobile%20App%20Privacy%20&body=Check%20out%20https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/keep-users-happy-with-six-tips-for-mobile-app-privacy&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) [Product and Development](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/tag/product-and-development) [Retention and Engagement](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/tag/retention-and-engagement) A [recent Tealium study](https://www.prweb.com/releases/new_study_by_tealium_reveals_half_of_consumers_dont_feel_well_informed_about_how_businesses_use_their_data/prweb16735237.htm) says that 97% of consumers are concerned about where their data ends up. And right now, they aren't sure how (or if) they can gain control over their data. We know that 91% of consumers hope for stricter government policies about data, according to the Tealium study**.** We also know that almost 90% want to opt-out of selling their data, according to [another study](https://marketingland.com/nearly-90-of-consumers-would-choose-do-not-sell-personal-data-under-ccpa-study-finds-269573). If you want to stay ahead of the game (and possible future regulations) to preserve consumer trust, it’s time to start cultivating a pro-privacy reputation for your brand. That's easier said than done for a lot of apps. For ride-hailing apps, you need a user's location. For photo-editing apps, you need access to a user's camera and microphone. So how do you find the right balance? ## 1) Collect Fewer Permissions & Personally Identifiable Information Researchers found [many apps](https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_events/1415032/privacycon2019_serge_egelman.pdf) collect unnecessary permissions and access sensitive personally identifiable information (PII). No app should be collecting permissions and info that it doesn’t need to be functional. Think of your users’ private information as available on a “need-to-know basis.” It’s also important to be transparent when your app accesses a user’s system. Clarify when you're collecting data, so your users know that when they close the app the tracking ends. ## 2) Be Selective About Data Harvesting and Sharing Your users need to know that data harvesting doesn't always mean their information is being exposed without their knowledge. Believe it or not, privacy-preserving data mining exists. [According to experts](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-84996-338-1_6), those data-mining practices include: - Data altered for privacy before it gets to the data miner - Data-mining algorithms modified to prevent the release of sensitive PII Apply these principles, then let your users know. It pays to explicitly state how you handle their data. ## 3) Avoid Unnecessary Location Sharing Tons of apps need an exact user location to function. Weather reports, navigation, and fitness apps are the best examples. Even if your app needs that information, you don't need to track a user's location constantly. Instead, consider collecting location only when your app is actively in use and provides value to your user. Better yet, collect data that doesn't give away your user's exact location instead. For example, weather apps still work based on zip codes alone. ## 4) Release Frequent Security Updates Consumers love it when companies listen to what they want. Even if they might not read the software updates, they'll know you're taking steps to protect their privacy. Regular security updates indicate to users that you aren't complacent. Show them that you're vigilant against cyberattacks and that you value consumer trust. ## 5) Consider Skipping Social Sign-In Using social media accounts to sign in to apps is convenient for consumers. But skipping them could be your biggest privacy win yet. Social sign-ins means sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have access to consumer data from your app, too. If you do use social sign-in, don’t make it compulsory. Inform your users how social log-ins affect their digital experience, and let them decide how they want to proceed. ## 6) Be Transparent About Privacy Practices and Policies In the privacy era, transparency is the name of the game. While [users would love to decide what happens with their data](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12525-019-00332-3), you can't overwhelm users with your privacy policies. The Tealium study shows that: - 72% of consumers would read privacy policies if they were shorter - 61% want policies to be more straightforward In fact, the EU’s GDPR says that privacy policies must be [easy-to-understand](https://gdpr.eu/privacy-notice/), and companies that balk at that may find themselves on the wrong end of serious fines. Consumers are taking control of their privacy more than ever, which means it’s time to be a leader in this space. Now’s the time to implement privacy best practices in your app development strategy if you want to retain customer trust (and possibly avoid heavy fines). #### [![](https://web3growthassociation.com/hubfs/icon-calendar.svg) Upcoming Events](https://web3growthassociation.com/events) #### [![MGA Podcasts](https://web3growthassociation.com/hubfs/icon-podcasts.png) Podcasts](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts) ##### [![Simplifying Taxes for Freelancers](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image001-2.jpg?width=300&name=image001-2.jpg) Simplifying Taxes for Freelancers Posted Feb 15, 2022](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts/simplifying-taxes-for-freelancers) ##### [![Unlocking the Potential of Financial Services with AI](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fintech-Growth-Talk---Kevin-Levitt.jpg?width=300&name=Fintech-Growth-Talk---Kevin-Levitt.jpg) Unlocking the Potential of Financial Services with AI Posted Dec 29, 2021](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts/unlocking-the-potential-of-financial-services-with-ai) ##### [![AARP: The intersection of Health Tech and Fintech](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image001-1.jpg?width=300&name=image001-1.jpg) AARP: The intersection of Health Tech and Fintech Posted Dec 10, 2021](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts/aarp-the-intersection-of-health-tech-and-fintech) ##### [![FinTech and mobile strategy insights from Google](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cherlene-Jolly%20V2.jpg?width=300&name=Cherlene-Jolly%20V2.jpg) FinTech and mobile strategy insights from Google Posted Nov 27, 2021](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts/fintech-and-mobile-strategy-insights-from-google) ##### [![Rebuilding the financial services ecosystem one API at a time](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fintech---Richie-Serna.jpg?width=300&name=Fintech---Richie-Serna.jpg) Rebuilding the financial services ecosystem one API at a time Posted Nov 10, 2021](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts/rebuilding-the-financial-services-ecosystem-one-api-at-a-time) ### Recommended Articles #### [![Where the action and the money *really* is in mobile gaming apps](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website%20Images/Podcast%20Images/All/NebojshaMitrikeski_mediaThumbnail-650x325.jpg?width=300&name=NebojshaMitrikeski_mediaThumbnail-650x325.jpg) Where the action and the money \*really\* is in ... 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