Earning money by watching videos, walking or reading: the dangers of apps that monetize routine | Lifestyle

In early April, TikTok launched TikTok Lite, an app through which the company sought to reward users who interact with the social network through a points system that can be redeemed for receipts that can be spent on Amazon and other platforms. Although application, which was in the testing phase in countries such as Spain and France, was intended for people over 18 years of age, the European Commission rushed to ask for an explanation and threatened to block it unless TikTok provided guarantees that minors would not access it or it would cause addiction. Just a few weeks after work began, the company decided to anticipate Brussels’ decision and temporarily suspend the project. The idea was to reward users for logging in or watching videos from the platform every day, with a maximum reward of one euro per day. A dangerous initiative that illustrates how the monetization of everyday activities reaches near-dystopian levels.

TikTok isn’t the only app that shamelessly encourages content consumption. In fact, almost since the advent of social media, similar initiatives have existed, increasingly sophisticated and aimed at covering all types of routines. On YouTube, it’s easy to find plenty of videos that categorize the best Programs earn money by watching videos, the amounts are always very small, but tempting for the little ones or for those who need extra income. The same thing happens with apps that claim to pay you for walking or running, such as WeWard or SweatCoin, to name just a few of the most popular. Getting minimal financial compensation for reading books is the claim of Cashzine, in Swagbucks they reward customers for taking surveys, and in Rewarded Play they aim to get people to play games. Online.

Wide choose Programs that monetize routine, and the tens of thousands of downloads that many of them collect show the good reception they have among users. Here it is worth asking: what is the real profit from these tools if you do not have to pay a subscription to use them and they pay their users money? The answer is simple. To access them, customers must provide their personal data – information that is added to databases, the contents of which can often end up in other companies.

The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) warns of the risks of apps that “pay you” for simple things. “In reality, these companies benefit from exploiting user data at the expense of the user losing control over the use of their personal data. We must be wary of these types of initiatives because in exchange for a supposed reward, the user is sharing their data without clear and informed consent, with the risk that this entails. This is even more serious in the case of minors, since this kind of transfer should not be allowed,” says Ileana Izverniceanu, Director of Public Relations of the OCU.

In this sense, Ivan Portillo, CTI Director at BeDisruptive, a cybersecurity company, and Director of Kschool’s Master’s Program in Cyber ​​Intelligence, notes: “It is very important that users are properly informed about the use of their data and the benefits they can obtain. “This practice, especially in free applications that generate revenue by monetizing data.” In these Programs Not only personal information is processed, but also very valuable information related to, for example, physical activity, health or various behavioral habits, which can be shared with third parties. Portillo refers to the “monetization of non-personal data obtained from users’ behavior in apps.” And it details: “This data may include browsing preferences, physical activity or other usage patterns. It is important to note that such practices do not necessarily compromise the user’s privacy, as long as sensitive personal data is not disclosed.” This does not relieve companies of the obligation “to be transparent about what types of data are collected and shared with third parties for subsequent monetization,” the expert clarifies.

How exactly do apps that track certain aspects of our lives work? The offering is extensive, although there are many similarities in the way it is used. In general terms, it’s about making the process as simple as possible, while avoiding obstacles for the user that might prevent them from completing the registration process. Once you provide your personal information, you will usually be offered different options for use and rewards. For example, in the case of WeWard, they track your every step and give you points based on distance: the more steps you take, the higher the score. They also include a map of businesses located in the area you’re walking through to find deals and promotions, so the location should always be activated. Both in this application As in many other cases, you can collect money directly or receive it in the form of shopping vouchers to spend in various online stores. Sometimes they offer you to donate the collected money to various associations. The amounts are usually minimal. The more the application is used, the more the amount will be received, which is one way to retain the user.

Aside from the concerns surrounding the misuse of personal data, the most immediate danger of these types of tools is their impact on mental health. According to psychologist Juan Carlos Arancibia, lack of control can cause us stress, anxiety, feelings of sadness and even make us obsessive. “We live with mobile phones in our hands, and if we add monetization for what we usually do, there is a risk of becoming addicted. Therefore, the main thing here is not to become dependent and not to let it interfere with other aspects of our lives,” he comments. The World Health Organization recommends avoiding spending more than 120 minutes a day on a mobile phone – a figure that is very far from reality. On average, it is estimated that every Spaniard spends more than five hours on cell phones and computers, or in other words, 35% of our waking hours. And a significant portion of those minutes are focused on repeated use of instant messaging and social networking apps, which are the most addictive. This dangerous addiction can also arise due to the abuse of apps that encourage you to spend time on your mobile phone. “If there is no control and we develop an addiction, addiction can develop. That’s why it’s so important that we know how much time we spend on these apps and analyze whether we’re spending more time than necessary or if it’s taking away from important life-giving moments,” advises Arancibia.

Even when they are not open, these apps can use the customer’s location, which is another way to collect data and information of all kinds. Its processing is now more than normalized, but it is advisable to be aware of every step that is taken in the Internet environment and really know what is accepted when accessing tracking tastes and interests. And even sharing the most insignificant and mundane details can open the door to potential strangers.