Sure, just the gas station location data could be used to triage locations like where you work, live, and go out, but explicitly collecting data on your whereabouts in the background all the time feels like a full-on manifestation of Big Brother. That's true of any services that use geolocation. Still, if you want to use the app at all, you've gotta fork over at least some of that precious data. That portion of the privacy policy relates to a feature called 'Drive,' which collects information to tell you about your driving habits. “If you access the Service through a mobile device, and if your preferences are set to permit collection of the information, we will also automatically collect information about your driving habits, including, but not limited to, driving distance, speed, acceleration and braking habits,' the privacy policy reads, in part. The company recently told its users about a privacy policy change through an email and a push notification, the company's general counsel told Popular Mechanics. It's meant to help you save precious cash at the pump by letting you compare prices at gas stations nearby-wherever you are-but that also means it's gathering loads and loads of location data to make those calls. That's because they depend on data, period. Unfortunately, heaps of useful and practical apps are some of the most serious threats to your own data security. The 30 Best Android Apps to Download Right Now The 30 Best iPhone Apps to Download Right Now Why You Should Completely Wipe Your Phone Every Few Months

Use common sense, weed out the bad apps, delete 'em now, and never look back. If the app is a pedometer, but is requesting way more data than other pedometer-related apps, you might have a data leech on your hands. Read the user comments, do a quick Google search of the app name to see if there are any news stories about it, and compare it to other applications with a similar function.

Keep in mind that you should always do your research and try to familiarize yourself with the app developer company before downloading-that will be a good indicator of whether or not the app is trustworthy. Master your digital world with best-in-class explainers and unlimited access to Pop Mech, starting NOW. So we've compiled a list of the apps you should wipe from your phone, stat: those that track you, harm your mental health, and pretend to care about your privacy, but don't practice what they preach. It sucks up your time, it sucks up your battery, and it sucks up your data. The smartphone, for all its life-changing magic, sucks.

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