At least eleven apps share sensitive, in some cases biometric, information with Facebook without a user having the control to stop this, reports The Wall Street Journal on the basis of own research.
According to the newspaper, this includes heart rate information from the Instant Heart Rate app, ovulation information from the Flo Period & Ovulation app and interests from the Realtor.com real estate app.
The relevant apps are equipped with Facebook software module that sends the data to the social media. The company can use this information and link it to Facebook users, even if the user is not logged into Facebook on his smartphone.
Apple and Google, the administrators of the operating systems iOS and Android, do not require app makers to disclose with which parties data is shared via the app.
Facebook says in a statement to The Wall Street Journal that the apps may violate the business agreement with Facebook. It is not allowed to share sensitive information such as health information or financial status with Facebook.
The social medium says that they have given instructions to stop sharing the data.
In Europe, privacy legislation is stricter than in the United States. Users must always give explicit and well-informed consent for sending data. Facebook agrees to comply with European privacy legislation.