Mobile games are basically running a sneaky little data hustle right under our noses. That “innocent” puzzle game or battle royale app you downloaded isn’t just tracking your gameplay. Games are routinely tapping into your GPS, WiFi connections, and cell tower data to pinpoint exactly where you are. Regulators like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have flagged that gaming companies collect significant financial and personal data, sometimes including users’ banking information through in-app purchase systems, all while roughly 86% of mobile games in North America collect personal data without proper consent, according to one 2023 analysis.
The wild part? We often just click allow without a second thought.