It’s a tech-tastic Thursday, friends! Let’s kick off our tech explosion of news and tips with a fun trivia question. What company sold a gadget in a bottle of water to prove it was really waterproof? Was it … A.) Apple, B.) Microsoft, C.) Nikon or D.) Sony? You’ll find the answer at the end!

🦜 Help me help you. Supporting our sponsors keeps this tech-filled newsletter free. If you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, try Babbel. With my link, you get 60% off. Dang, that’s a great deal! — Kim

Spoiler: They’re all super data-hungry.

Atlas VPN researchers dove deep into shopping apps that collect sensitive consumer data. They found 75% of apps in the study share user data with third parties. Some even share this data without informing you, the consumer. Lovely.

I've included the sketchiest apps here and tips to help you stay safe. Just because this research focuses on Android doesn’t mean my fellow iPhone owners are in the clear, btw. Apple does a little more to protect us from app tracking, but it still happens.

Dashing through the data

Atlas VPN’s researchers looked at the Google Play profiles of the 60 most popular shopping apps. They also reviewed apps in the buy now, pay later (BNPL) and discount-offer categories.

Now, when we say “user data,” we’re not just talking about your name and what you bought, people. Most of these apps collect highly personal details and even financial data, including phone numbers, payment methods, credit scores and even precise locations.

Atlas VPN says 58% of the apps they reviewed shared names, home addresses, email IDs and phone numbers with “third parties.” (That’s code for "anyone willing to pay enough.") Plus:

• 25% shared device IDs or other unique identifiers for smartphones and tablets.
• Roughly 33% disclosed financial data, including purchase history and payment details.
• 28% shared location data with "external sources," whatever that means.

That's about as un-private as it gets.

Who were the Baddest Santas of the bunch?

eBay and Amazon ranked the worst in terms of how many user data points they collect, snagging 28 and 25 identifiers, respectively. Only slightly better is the BNPL app Afterpay, which collects 22 unique user data points.

Get this: Afterpay shared users’ in-app messages, texts, emails and even credit scores with third parties. Oof, no wonder they’ve given out free short-term loans.

Silver lining: Out of all 60 apps, Kohl's was the only one that didn't collect any data whatsoever. And who doesn't love Kohl's Cash?

✅ You can see the rest of the list here on my site.

Play it safe

You can't always prevent apps from taking your data, but you can decide which ones to interact with.

• Disable unnecessary data-sharing options in your phone's settings, such as location services.
• Delete shopping apps you no longer use. They can sell your data even if you're inactive.
• Use this free tool to identify the worst data-stealing apps and find the most privacy-friendly options.

Even I was surprised by how much info some of these apps give (or sell) away. If you were, too, use the buttons below to share this with a friend.

How much time has been wasted in 2023 going down a social media rabbit hole? I’m guilty of it, too. Stop the doom scrolling and use that valuable time to learn a new language with Babbel!

No more blank stares on vacation or flashbacks to fifth-grade Spanish class. Babbel’s lessons are taught by real language teachers, not AI. You’ll learn real-life phrases — not textbook talk.

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🚨 Update Chrome: Here we go again — the sixth zero-day exploit in Chrome this year. There’s an urgent fix for a nasty bug in the Skia graphics library that can lead to browser crashes or, worse, hackers accessing your system. It's already causing chaos, so update ASAP. Click More > Help > About Google Chrome, and hit Relaunch.

Sometimes, you have to push the envelope: Live in a small town? Your mail might be extra late, thanks to Amazon. Bemidji, Minnesota, is one small town drowning in Amazon packages, pushing regular mail to the back burner. The USPS says, “Nope, we’re not playing favorites.” But Amazon accounts for one-third of all USPS deliveries and pays them over $10 billion annually.

Put a ring on it: Apple’s new patent is for smart rings, but here's the twist — they might not just be for fingers. The patent hints you could wear this gadget anywhere. Ankle bracelet, watch, headband? The guessing game is on.

🏠 Click, buy, sold: Meet Homebourse, the new site that calls itself the "Amazon of real estate." You can put down a 1% deposit on your dream home with just a click. Not sure about it? You've got eight days to change your mind. House hunting's never been this easy ... or risky. Times are changing for realtors and brokers.

Netflix and game: Netflix is trying extra hard to justify its recent price increases. Starting Dec. 14, you can play "Grand Theft Auto III," "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" and "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" on your phone in the Netflix app — no extra fees and no ads … for now. My prediction: It'll announce a paid plan for games in 2024.

🪞 “The Golden Bachelor” exposed: Gerry Turner, the retired restaurateur from "The Golden Bachelor," got a reality check from his own LinkedIn profile. His restaurant gig was old news by 1985, and he's been hustling in meat sales and even installing hot tubs since. So much for that dreamy retirement narrative. Another reminder reality TV isn't always, well, real.

Be kind, rewind: Apple Music Replay is here, but don't expect the Spotify Wrapped magic. Sure, it's got your top tunes and artists, but it’s boring. There’s no quirky "Audio Aura" or shareable stories — just standard stats and charts. Replay is available all year round, but without Spotify's flair, who's rushing to share?

AI and your stock portfolio: Some stock experts are all about MAMA — Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, Amazon — as AI frontrunners. Could be something big to talk to your financial planner about. Just don’t say, “Hey, what do you think of yo’ MAMA?”

Google is axing accounts that have been inactive for at least two years starting tomorrow, Dec. 1. All you have to do is sign in to protect yours. Google says it's beginning with accounts that were created and never used again, but I'd still get in there ASAP.

Once you’re logged in, consider whether it makes sense to download everything associated with that account so you can retire it. Here’s how:

• Sign in to your Google account, then go to ​​takeout.google.com.
• Choose all the data you wish to export.
• Hit Next step, then pick how you’d like to receive this information: A download link via email or added to a Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive or Box account.
• Choose how often you’d like to receive this (once or every two months for a year) and the file type you’d like to receive (either .zip or .tgz). I’d go with a zip file.
• Click Create export. You’ll get an email when the process is complete.

🥡 That’s it! Go do it now while you still can.

I make the complex world of tech simple and approachable. From explaining the latest gadgets in plain English to offering easy-to-follow cybersecurity advice, I’ve got you covered.

👉 Get my podcasts today!

Stop downloading random scanner apps: Now, you can use Google Drive on your iPhone to scan. (This was reserved for my Android pals before.) Open the Drive app, tap the camera or + icon, then Scan. It works, but I still use the built-in Apple Notes app.

🧽 No scrubs: Raise your hand if you have an air fryer. Raise your hand if it’s disgusting inside. Try this viral cleaning tip. Instead of scrubbing, squirt in some dish soap, add a little water and run it for about 3 minutes. Voila, all clean!

If tech is on their wishlist: Don't be a sucker and waste your hard-earned money on buying extended warranties for electronic gifts. Most devices and TVs break within the first 90 days if there's a problem. Otherwise, they'll probably fail after around five years.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll help you shop for those tricky people on your list. First, lovers of the outdoors, including campers, hikers and fishers.

• A sweet rechargeable lantern that will get so much use.
• Clean water anywhere with a LifeStraw personal water filter. (50% off right now!)
• A latte while camping? Yep, instant coffee that actually tastes good.

Want more? I have a list of gift ideas you can check out here.

Exercise? I thought I heard, “Extra fries!”

The answer: D.) Sony. In 2014, Sony launched a creative marketing campaign for its Walkman by packaging it inside a water bottle. Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know the answer. They were made available through vending machines placed in gyms and pools in New Zealand.

💦 Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we were playing a card game designed to spark a conversation. I got a card that said, “Name two structures that contain water.” I responded, "Well, dam." I’m sorry to report I was the only person who laughed.

How much time do you waste scrolling on your phone? Put your time to good use and pick up Dutch, Spanish, Japanese — whatever language you’ve been meaning to learn. Try Babbel and save 60% with my link. Thanks, and see you tomorrow with the best tech newsletter in the USA! — Kim