Yes. When you download a third-party app and give it permission to access your screen-time information or grant it other types of access to your phone, it’s important to consider how the company says it’s handling your data.
Because I’m not an expert in cybersecurity, I asked CNET’s cybersecurity and data privacy expert Bree Fowler what she thinks of screen-time management apps as a whole. Her suggestion was to look at the app store description, which should tell you what the company is tracking or collecting.
Some apps also say they use a local VPN, or virtual private network, but that may not ultimately mean much, according to Fowler. “They’re taking your data, and there’s nothing stopping them from sharing or selling it,” Fowler says of companies that use VPNs.
To make sure you’re comfortable with what you’re potentially sharing, read each company’s privacy policy, as well as what’s listed on the app store before downloading any app to your phone. For more security content and tips to stay protected online, you can peruse our best VPN services list to help keep your devices safe.
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