Downloaded millions of times: fitness apps spy on users

Fitness apps have become increasingly popular in recent months. However, as an investigation has now revealed, some smartphone apps include trackers that monitor you.

Some fitness apps are spying on their users. This is the conclusion of an investigation by ExpressVPN Digital Security Lab. According to the study, a total of twelve apps are accused of using location tracking that goes beyond the actual functionality of the application.

Some of the apps cannot even be accused of intent. Instead, the problem lies in the services used by the developers behind them. For tracking, they often rely on external providers that allow easier interfaces during app development. A few of these providers have built backdoors into their systems that ultimately end up with the users' data.

These fitness apps use trackers

  • Couch to 10K Running Trainer
  • Half Marathon Trainer 13.1 21K
  • C25K - 5K Running Trainer
  • Marathon Trainer - 26.2 42K
  • Accupedo Pedometer - Step Counter
  • Accupedo+ pedometer - step counter
  • SmokeFree - quit smoking slowly
  • Abs Workout - Daily Fitness
  • 30 Day Butt & Leg Challenge women workout home

If you have any of these apps installed on your smartphone, it is recommended that you remove them. The data that is collected here may be passed on to third parties or even sold. Especially apps that advertise a home workout should do their job without location detection.

If an app asks you for such access rights during installation, you should cancel the installation.

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