Social Media Data Privacy: Which Platforms Are Safest for Your Data?

In a world where social media has become an indispensable part of our lives, it's crucial to consider the safety and privacy of our personal data. A recent study by Incogni, a company specializing in personal data removal, has shed light on the data security practices of popular social media platforms, revealing some surprising findings.

Facebook's Data Retention Practices Raise Concerns

Incogni's research revealed that less popular social media platforms often rank higher in terms of data security than the giants we use daily. Facebook, for example, landed in the bottom three of the ranking, with its data storage practices being questioned by Incogni. Facebook's data retention practices have raised concerns, particularly its policy of storing user data for up to six months after account deletion, even though users might believe their data is immediately erased.

Incogni conducted a comprehensive analysis of 14 criteria to assess the data security of various social media platforms. These criteria included the types of data collected and stored, user control over their data, the number of government fines and data breaches experienced by the company, and the ease of access to account deletion features. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding the different data security practices employed by social media platforms.

Facebook Holds Onto User Data for Months

Facebook, the platform with the longest data retention period, keeps user data for a whopping 180 days, or six months, after an account is deleted. This contrasts starkly with Telegram, which only stores user data for one day after account deletion. Incogni warns that Facebook's data retention practices could leave user data vulnerable to breaches or theft, including photos, videos, messages, financial information, and health data. "Users might be shocked to learn that some social media platforms keep their data for six months after they delete their accounts," said Darius Belejevas, a data privacy expert and head of Incogni. "This raises serious questions about what happens to that data, whether it's sold to third parties, and whether people could unknowingly be caught in data breaches, even after they think they've severed ties with a platform."

Besides Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and Discord also store user data for up to six months after account deletion. These findings underscore the need for greater transparency from social media platforms regarding their data retention policies and how they handle user data after account deletion.

Complex Data Deletion Processes and Data Breaches

In addition to long data retention periods, some social media platforms also have complicated data deletion mechanisms, particularly if users want to erase their data completely. Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger require six steps to delete an account, while TikTok, Telegram, and Discord only need two. This complexity can hinder users' ability to effectively control their data and ensure its complete deletion.

The study also highlighted the prevalence of data breaches across various social media platforms. Since 2012, LinkedIn has suffered four data breaches, followed by X (Twitter) and Facebook with two breaches each. Incogni did not provide details about the specific breaches for each platform. This data reveals the vulnerability of social media platforms to data breaches and the potential consequences for users' privacy.

Social Media Security Risk Ranking

Based on these criteria, Incogni ranked 15 popular social media platforms based on their data security risk. The higher the score, the greater the data security risk.

1. Facebook: 18.98 points
2. Facebook Messenger: 16.51 points
3. LinkedIn: 16.13 points
4. Instagram: 15.84 points
5. X (Twitter): 15.20 points
6. TikTok: 14.25 points
7. YouTube: 13.64 points
8. WhatsApp: 13.01 points
9. Twitch: 11.05 points
10. Telegram: 10.93 points
11. Quora: 10.60 points
12. Discord: 10.50 points
13. Pinterest: 10.49 points
14. Snapchat: 9.99 points
15. Reddit: 8.9 points

More Private Social Media Alternatives

Incogni's findings suggest that popular social media platforms often prioritize user engagement and data collection over data privacy. However, the study also acknowledges the existence of more private alternatives, such as Mastodon, Nostr, and Matrix, which offer better social experiences, are ad-free, and are more protective of user privacy. While these platforms haven't achieved the popularity of the platforms listed above, they could be attractive options for users who prioritize data privacy.

The study's results highlight the importance of understanding the data security practices of different social media platforms and choosing platforms that align with our privacy preferences. As users become more aware of the potential risks associated with data collection and storage, it's crucial to explore alternative platforms that prioritize user privacy and offer more secure experiences.