Surfshark Report Reveals Popular Apps Silently Track User Browsing History

A new study by cybersecurity firm Surfshark has revealed that nearly half of the most popular Android and iOS applications are collecting user browsing history. By analyzing 40 leading apps across social media, e-commerce, messaging, and generative AI, researchers found that 18 of them explicitly state in their privacy labels that they track where users go online. Social media platforms were identified as the most frequent offenders, with nine out of ten apps analyzed engaging in this practice. Surfshark explains that many apps utilize embedded browsers to monitor external links, allowing them to gather data for targeted advertising rather than service functionality. Experts recommend that users avoid in-app browsers by opening links directly in their default, privacy-focused web browsers to limit data exposure. This research underscores the importance of reviewing app privacy labels and adopting safer digital habits to protect personal information from intrusive tracking.