Social Media Platforms
Privacy evaluation of social networking platforms. Analyzed by Data Champion® for data collection, security, and user control.
Help improve our evaluations
Observed good or bad data practices in social media platforms? Your insights help the community make informed decisions.
Report Data Practices🏆 Data Champion® Awards
Gold
88
Mastodon
Decentralized Network
FreeLOW RISK
Silver
85
Signal Groups
Signal Foundation
FreeLOW RISK
Bronze
82
Pixelfed
Decentralized Network
FreeLOW RISK
Category Risk Assessment
| Risk Category | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Tracking | HIGH | Extensive tracking of user behavior for ad targeting |
| Data Harvesting | HIGH | Collection of contacts, location, device info, browsing |
| Third-Party Sharing | HIGH | Data shared with advertisers and partners |
| Content Moderation | MEDIUM | Platform access to all posted content |
| Account Security | MEDIUM | Phishing and credential theft risks |
| Algorithmic Manipulation | HIGH | Content algorithms influence behavior and beliefs |
Product Comparison
| Product | Overall | Data Collection | Security | User Control | Transparency | Data Usage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mastodon Decentralized Network | 88 | 92 | 85 | 90 | 88 | 85 | Free |
Signal Groups Signal Foundation | 85 | 95 | 92 | 82 | 80 | 88 | Free |
Pixelfed Decentralized Network | 82 | 88 | 80 | 85 | 82 | 78 | Free |
 X (Twitter) X Corp | 48 | 35 | 65 | 45 | 50 | 38 | Free - $8/mo |
 Instagram Meta Platforms | 45 | 30 | 70 | 42 | 48 | 35 | Free |
 Facebook Meta Platforms | 42 | 28 | 68 | 40 | 45 | 30 | Free |
 TikTok ByteDance | 38 | 25 | 58 | 35 | 40 | 28 | Free |
Scoring Criteria
Data Collection (30%)
Minimal data gathering practices
Security (25%)
Encryption and protection measures
User Control (20%)
Privacy settings and data rights
Transparency (15%)
Clear policies and accountability
Data Usage (10%)
How data is used and shared