Ranking of Applications Sharing User Data with Third Parties (Surfshark Report)
Smartphone cleaning applications claim to free up storage space by removing unnecessary files and duplicates. However, in exchange for this convenience, users unwittingly compromise their privacy. An analysis of the ten most popular cleaning apps on the App Store has revealed that all of them transmit user data to third parties, including geolocation details, purchase history, and product interactions.
Although these applications market themselves as tools for device optimization, their activities extend far beyond mere file deletion. In 90% of cases, such apps share unique user identifiers, while 70% additionally transmit geolocation data and consumer preferences. Alarmingly, 20% of these applications collect and forward users’ precise location information, raising serious concerns about the necessity of such intrusive access.
Topping the list in terms of data transmission volume is Cleaner Kit by BPMobile. This app collects and shares data across nine different categories, including precise and approximate location, device and user identifiers, purchase history, app interaction details, and advertising-related information. Such extensive data collection could result in user information being disseminated among hundreds of third-party partners, who may exploit it for targeted advertising and other commercial purposes.
To minimize privacy risks, users are advised to carefully review an app’s privacy policy in the App Store before installation. Additionally, manual smartphone maintenance remains an effective alternative—regularly deleting unnecessary photos and videos, clearing the “Recently Deleted” folder, and uninstalling or offloading unused applications via the iPhone Storage menu in Settings.
