Meta’s platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, might be facing privacy concerns

Your phone is spying on you

You likely check social media daily without a second thought. These apps are quietly collecting your personal information behind the scenes. A 2025 report from privacy researcher Incogni ranks major social networks by privacy risk and finds Meta’s apps and TikTok among the worst offenders.

The findings might surprise even the most cautious users. Let’s explore what’s really happening with your data on these platforms.

Meta’s privacy problem is huge

Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp rank as the most invasive platforms. Their parent company, Meta, consistently sits at the bottom for user privacy protection. These apps collect a startling amount of your sensitive information.

Incogni’s review shows some platforms, including parts of Meta and LinkedIn, may collect sensitive attributes such as health information and sexual orientation, and regulators have fined Meta and other firms multiple times, even as concerns about data collection persist.

TikTok’s data appetite grows

Incogni places TikTok near the bottom of its 2025 privacy ranking, and separate regulatory probes and fines have intensified scrutiny of TikTok’s data practices and any links to its China-based parent company.

Like other invasive apps, it uses your information for advertising and AI training. Understanding this helps you make smarter choices about what you share there.

X’s privacy report is mixed

Incogni places X in the mid-range of its ranking. The platform has faced regulatory actions in the past and scored poorly in some data collection metrics, but it performs better on some user-friendliness measures.

Incogni also found X discloses user data to governments at a lower rate than some peers in its dataset. This mixed performance shows privacy features vary even on controversial platforms.

Surprising safety champions emerge

Discord, Pinterest, and Quora rank among the least privacy-invasive platforms in Incogni’s 2025 list. Discord scored particularly well because the documentation suggests it does not use user content to train generative AI, while Pinterest and Quora scored strongly on user controls and limited data collection, respectively.

Quora’s limited data collection approach secured its third-place position. It’s encouraging to know some popular platforms still respect user privacy.

The great AI data grab

Incogni found that only three of the 15 platforms studied explicitly indicate that user content will not be used to train generative models, implying that the remaining 12 either allow it or do not clearly exclude it from their policies.

Only Telegram, Twitch, and Discord explicitly avoid this data grab. This issue has dramatically changed the privacy landscape this year.

Privacy policies are impossible

Multiple studies show that many privacy policies require a college reading level, making them hard for average readers to parse and reducing transparency about how platforms collect and use data.

Many experts believe this confusing language is intentional. They argue platforms don’t truly want users to understand their data practices.

Leaving is deliberately difficult

Incogni measured the number of steps needed to delete accounts as a usability metric, and other reporting has found that deleting some accounts can require several clicks or menu dives. This extra friction can make account deletion more time-consuming for users.

For example, earlier analyses reported that deleting accounts on some major platforms can take multiple steps to complete. In contrast, TikTok and Discord let you delete your account in just two clicks. A platform’s exit process reveals much about its respect for users.

Your data lingers forever

Data retention policies vary by service. Platform help pages typically note that final removal can take weeks or months.

For example, Meta help describes a waiting period before permanent deletion, and other analyses have reported retention windows that can extend for multiple months. Users should consult each platform’s help pages for exact retention timelines.

Telegram stands out for deleting user data within just a few days. This data retention policy is a critical privacy factor that many users overlook.

Fines are just business costs

Regulators have issued large fines to some platforms and parent companies, including Meta and TikTok, under GDPR. Industry critics argue that fines have not, by themselves, eliminated problematic practices, which is why some experts call for stronger enforcement and policy change.

When violating privacy laws remains more profitable than complying, companies lack the incentive to improve. Stronger enforcement is needed to force meaningful change.

Simple privacy upgrades help

You can take easy steps to better protect your information online. Consider using a dedicated email address just for social media sign-ups. Avoid registering with your personal phone number whenever possible.

These small habits make it harder for platforms to build a complete profile about you. Every layer of separation helps safeguard your real identity.

Review settings regularly

Make time to check the privacy settings within each of your social apps. Ensure you’re only sharing information that is necessary for using the service. This simple habit can significantly reduce your digital footprint over time.

Each platform has different controls for limiting data collection and ad targeting. Taking a few minutes to adjust these can make a substantial difference.

Beware of meta AI

WhatsApp introduced an Advanced Chat Privacy setting that, when enabled per chat, blocks some exporting options and disables certain AI features in that chat.

Normal WhatsApp chats remain end-to-end encrypted, but messages explicitly sent to an on-platform AI or processed using server-side summarization tools are not protected in the same way, so users should treat them differently and enable advanced privacy controls where appropriate.

Discord does it differently

Discord proves social platforms can thrive without invasive data practices. Its number one privacy ranking shows a strong commitment to user safety. The platform’s refusal to feed user data to AI models is a standout policy.

This respectful approach demonstrates that user engagement doesn’t require excessive data harvesting. Other companies could follow this model if users demanded it.

Echo chambers spread lies

Social media algorithms often trap users in informational echo chambers. These bubbles primarily show you content matching your existing views and biases. This environment makes misinformation spread rapidly among like-minded people.

During crises like the pandemic, false health information can go viral within hours. Always double-check surprising claims with trusted sources outside your social apps.

TikTok trends turn deadly

Some social media challenges are not just silly; they’re potentially lethal. TikTok has hosted dangerous trends like the Tide Pod Challenge and Blackout Challenge. These viral fads have led to serious injuries and even tragic fatalities.

Young users are particularly susceptible to this risky online content. It’s a stark reminder that not everything trending online is safe or advisable.

You control your digital life

Despite the challenges, you maintain significant power over your digital privacy. Start by being more selective about which platforms you use most frequently. Consider spending more time on services with better privacy reputations.

Your attention is what these platforms ultimately value most. Where you choose to spend it sends a powerful message about your privacy expectations.

If you want to see just how deep the rabbit hole goes, check out what an ex-Meta worker had to say about WhatsApp’s flaws.

Your data deserves respect

Your online privacy remains precious in our connected world. The social platforms you use have vastly different approaches to handling your information. Being an informed user is the crucial first step toward protecting your digital self.

Small, consistent actions can significantly improve your security over time. Your personal information deserves to be treated with proper respect and care.

Want to see how fiercely companies are fighting for the minds behind your privacy? Check out how Musk poached 14 Meta AI experts while Meta fought back with massive pay offers.

Which of these platforms surprises you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and hit like if you found this helpful.

Read More From This Brand:

• Meta and TikTok win EU tech fee challenge
• Meta is accused of hiding research on children’s safety
• Meta strikes massive cloud computing deal with Google

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.