By: Atty. Jeremy O. Panganiban
Most of the time, we unknowingly grant permission for many applications (apps, for brevity) to access our data and to perform functions that are unnecessary for the purpose of the app’s functionality (vide: 99 Privacy Breaches to be Aware of by Kevin Shepherdson, Atty. Lyn Boxall, et al., at page 281).
Many apps require us to give permission for our personal data to be revealed to third parties. A few apps may even sell our data with our permission already given! (ibid.)
My suggestion is that we must carefully read the terms of use, meticulously acquaint ourselves with the permissions, and scrutinize the app’s privacy notice before we give our consent. Please take note that, under the law, a blanket consent is void. Neither is failure to opt out from a pre-ticked box deemed valid when it comes to data privacy.