Travelers today love travel apps. These apps help them book their accommodation for upcoming travel destinations. It even helps them find the eateries which are highly rate.
Seasoned travelers should be aware of how many travel apps they have downloaded in all these years. When they go out on a holiday, they have a routine which is more than traveling. They check shops, visit attractions, and have good dine-ins in some really nice restaurants plus recreation facilities and amusement parks to visit too.
Which travel apps have a hidden side?
The world today is avoiding the wastage of paper. This is why technology evolve and we are now in the world of apps where things can be download. There is however a surprising fact: travel apps used by traveling enthusiasts have a side they are not aware of.
Many of them forgot how many apps they downloaded. Yet they need to know those apps are taking data from their phones whether or not they have traveled.
Can users save themselves? Especially from the shock of these apps stealing their data? A lot of third-party vendors obtain this information for customization purposes but due to poor cyber security measures, they lose that data to cyber-attacks.
The following apps have been identifi as serious violators of privacy laws and practices:
Airbnb
In the iOS store, Airbnb is the topmost travel app. It also tops the charts of apps that violate privacy. Yes, it is true. Airbnb usually requires a picture of the ID/passport of users which is common among most travel apps and service providers.
The terms and conditions of Airbnb usually require users’ consent for possible background checks. Information users provide the app is save in servers. When users start the app, they automatically provide the app permissions to record IP address logs, precise location data as per the phone’s GPS, and any other relevant and required information from the phone.
The app has links with Facebook and Google. Travelers can share their experiences and reviews on these two platforms via Airbnb. The app takes information like the number of friends the user has, friends in their list, and profile information too.
Somehow users are lucky. They can opt out of this with ease. The app settings area of their phones can help them change permissions for location access and limit them. Since there is no requirement to link social media apps to Airbnb. They can use their email to log in and out of the app.
A mobile VPN can help users overcome the privacy difficulties such apps create. However, the policies Airbnb has are tricky. VPNs even slow down internet connections.
Expedia
Another popular app with travelers, Expedia helps many book flights, hotels, cars, etc. In terms of privacy and data collection, it is a bit better than Airbnb, especially in terms of data collection practices and user privacy.
The app requests permission from users so they can access some features of their phone. Camera, contacts, location, and storage are commonly access.
When the app requests users to provide them access to these features, it is wise to use the website instead. An app requiring permissions for many things is a cause of concern. It overturns the privacy. The website meanwhile only requires access when needed. Using Expedia’s site from the laptop is even better.
Conclusion
A cybersecurity company also provides some of the best DDoS protected dedicated servers explaining that travel apps like Airbnb and Expedia are popular among many travelers. Their apps are dangerous to use. Many users overlook privacy settings which they should review from time to time and contact a cyber security consultant in this matter.
The online world is more dangerous. It is full of pitfalls and concerns. Digital safety is the topmost priority of numerous firms and individuals alike. Lack of compliance with digital safety rules will result in a string of hefty lawsuits.
Not just that, companies lacking cybersecurity protocols are head for the morgue. Any company compromise completely in the cyberspace either has to restart the whole digital infrastructure, or get cremated online.
It’s essential for both users and developers to stay informed about evolving privacy issues and actively work towards creating and using travel apps that prioritize the protection of user data.