Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, stated that foreign online services are collecting personal data from users without them noticing.
The deputy explained that this data gathering occurs through hidden requests to servers, which transmit information about users` actions, location, device, and preferences. «All this allows the creation of detailed digital profiles without a person`s explicit consent,» he warned.
Nemkin urged users to pay close attention to the permissions requested by applications. For instance, he noted that one should be cautious if a simple note-taking app asks for access to the microphone, geolocation, and contacts.
In related advice, Nemkin previously mentioned that fraudsters are calling Russians, posing as employees of online marketplaces. To protect themselves, Nemkin recommended not answering calls from unknown numbers, avoiding clicking links in SMS messages, and never disclosing personal information to anyone.
